Tunisian ex-leader sentenced to 35 years in jail

A Tunisian court Monday sentenced ousted president Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali and his wife, in absentia, to 35 years in jail each after finding them guilty of theft and unlawful possession of cash and jewellery.

Reading out the verdict and sentence after just one day of deliberation, the judge also ruled Ben Ali and his wife would have to pay fines totalling 91 million Tunisian dinars ($65.6 million). The verdict on other charges, relating to illegal possession of drugs and weapons, would be pronounced on June 30. (Reuters)