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Ousted Tunisian Dictator Sentenced to 10 years for corruption

Wednesday, 24 June 2015 11:16 PM [ Last Update: Wednesday, 24 June 2015 11:16 PM ]

Adnen Chaouachi

Press TV, Tunis

A court in Tunisia has sentenced ousted ruler Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, his son-in-law and 3 of his aides to 10 years in prison for corruption. Millions of Tunisians are still waiting for the prosecution of the fugitive ruler and his agents for their past crimes.

Ousted Tunisian ruler Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and 3 of his top aides including the former minister of Public Lands have been handed 10-year jail terms by the country’s Court of First Instance. The 5 were found to be involved in a corruption case regarding misuse of public property in the northern city of Bizerta. But Ben Ali is not in Tunisia; he left the country and went to Saudi Arabia following the 2011 popular uprising. Now his victims are still calling for justice.

4 years after the 2011 popular uprising, millions of Tunisians are still hoping to see Ben Ali prosecuted for ordering the shooting of peaceful protesters as well as embezzling billions of dollars of state funds.

Every week, dozens of former political prisoners and families of the victims of the revolution protest outside the Prime minister's office in Tunis to show that they will never abandon their cause.

Despite success in dealing with some important corruption files, analysts argue that the National Investigation Commission on Corruption and Embezzlement will need at least 1 decade to open the remaining files.

Lawyers and human rights activists say transitional justice will certainly help Tunisians turn the page on 23 years of dictatorship. However, victims of the former regime say Ben Ali and his agents must first be held accountable for their crimes.

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