Tunisia's fallen president charged with taking money abroad illegally

Tunisia's government issued an international arrest warrant for fallen president Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali yesterday, accusing him of taking money out of the North African nation illegally.

Ben Ali, who fled to Saudi Arabia after being driven from power this month by violent protests, was also charged with illegally acquiring property and other assets abroad, justice minister Lazhar Karoui Chebbi said.

Mr Chebbi spoke to reporters as Tunisian police fired tear gas at hundreds of protesters who have been pressuring the interim government to get rid of old-guard ministers who served under Ben Ali. The clashes broke out in front of the prime minister's office in Tunis, the capital. Acrid tear gas clouds engulfed hundreds and some responded by throwing stones at police.

Tunisia has requested help from Interpol in its effort to bring Ben Ali to justice, Mr Chebbi said.

Tunisia is also seeking the arrest of Ben Ali's wife, Leila Trabelsi, as well as other family members.

Ben Ali, his wife and their clan have been widely accused of abusing their power to enrich themselves: In France, where family members are believed to have assets ranging from apartments to racehorses, Paris prosecutors have opened a preliminary investigation into their holdings.

The former president fled on 14 January after 23 years in power, pushed out by weeks of protests driven by anger over joblessness, repression and corruption. His swift departure was followed by riots, looting and unrest.

Yesterday, the justice minister highlighted the massive scope of that unrest: 11,029 prisoners - about a third of the country's prison population - were able to escape amid the chaos, he said.

Of those, 1,532 prisoners have returned behind bars, Mr Chebbi said. Another 74 prisoners had died in fires that broke out at several prisons.