Newsmakers

Ex-Tunisian president scorns his trial as parody

(Agencies)
Updated: 2011-06-22 11:02

TUNIS, Tunisia?-- The ex-president of Tunisia has denounced his trial and conviction in absentia, calling it a "parody of justice."

File photo: Tunisian President Zine Ali Abidine Ben Ali (R) and First Lady Leila cast their votes at the poll station of Carthage in this October 24,1999. [Photo/Agencies]

A day after Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and his wife?both in exile since January 14?were convicted and sentenced to 35 years in prison, he derided the trial as "nonsense judicially but politically expedient."

He said in the statement issued Tuesday through his French lawyer that Monday's trial was a "parody of justice whose only merit was its brevity."

Ben Ali and Leila Trabelsi were convicted Monday on embezzlement and other charges after a treasure trove of jewels and cash were found in a palace.

Ben Ali flew to Saudi Arabia after a monthlong uprising that sparked protests around the Arab world.