Tunisia court convicts members of hated clan
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A court has handed down prison terms for members and collaborators of the former first lady of Tunisia for trying to illegally flee with jewels and cash as the regime collapsed. But it has thrown out charges against the once powerful head of presidential security.
A total of 32 people faced charges — three in absentia — connected to the panicked effort to leave Tunisia on Jan. 14, when President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali fled to Saudi Arabia after a month of protests.
Sisters and nephews of much hated former first lady Leila Trabelsi were convicted Friday. Sentences ranged from four months to six years in prison.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The court dismissed charged against Ali Seriati, who ran Ben Ali's presidential security. Seriati awaits a military trial for allegedly plotting against the state.