31 Jul 2011

Ousted president sentenced to prison

10:36 am on 31 July 2011

Tunisia's ousted President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, his daughter and son-in-law have been sentenced in absentia to prison for corrupt property deals.

They were also ordered to collectively pay $US100 million in damages.

The BBC reports it was the third guilty verdict against Mr Ben Ali, who fled in January to Saudi Arabia after weeks of protest. He had ruled for more than 20 years.

Saudi Arabia has so far failed to extradite Mr Ben Ali, despite a request by Tunisia's new interim government.

Mr Ben Ali was accused of using his power to get property for his family at prices far below the market value in the capital, Tunis.

He and his son-in-law, businessman Sakher El Materi, were sentenced to 16 years in prison.

His daughter, Nesrine, who is married to El Materi, was given an eight-year prison term.

Mr Ben Ali was first sentenced in June, along with his wife Leila, to 35 years in prison for embezzlement and misuse of state funds.

Earlier this month, he was convicted on charges of possessing illegal drugs and weapons after a one-day trial and sentenced to 15 years in prison.