Tunis, Jul 5 (IANS): A Tunisian court Monday sentenced former president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, who has fled the country, to 15 and a half years in jail on drugs- and weapons-related charges, reports said.
The court also slapped a fine of 180,000 Tunisian dinars ($140,000) on him, Xinhua reported, citing the Tunisian national radio.
It was Ben Ali's second trial, during which the ex-president's lawyers walked out of the court after their request for a postponement was rejected by the officiating magistrate.
The former Tunisian leader, who left the country following weeks of protests against his 23 year long rule, was convicted to 35 years in imprisonment and a $64 million fine for embezzlement and trafficking of archaeological artefacts following a first trial a few weeks ago.
He faces 182 other charges, including voluntary manslaughter, in which he risks the death sentence.