Tunisia arrests Ben Ali kin, seizes luxury trinkets
TUNIS: Tunisian authorities arrested 33 members of toppled leader Zine El Abidine Ben Ali's family as protesters rallied again to demand the rooting out of the dictator's former ruling party.
The arrests were announced on state television, which showed footage of luxury watches, jewellery and credit cards seized in raids on homes of the former first family. Authorities had opened an investigation against them for plundering the nation's resources, it said.
The mass arrest of Ben Ali's relatives showed how his influence has melted away since he dramatically fled to Saudi Arabia on Friday , following weeks of riots in the north African nation.
The accusations include illegal property acquisitions and currency transfers . Charges of corruption and revelations of the Ben Ali family's lavish lifestyle helped fuel the anger of the protests against his 23-year rule which culminated in his toppling.
The arrests were announced on state television, which showed footage of luxury watches, jewellery and credit cards seized in raids on homes of the former first family. Authorities had opened an investigation against them for plundering the nation's resources, it said.
The mass arrest of Ben Ali's relatives showed how his influence has melted away since he dramatically fled to Saudi Arabia on Friday , following weeks of riots in the north African nation.
The accusations include illegal property acquisitions and currency transfers . Charges of corruption and revelations of the Ben Ali family's lavish lifestyle helped fuel the anger of the protests against his 23-year rule which culminated in his toppling.
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