Number of lawsuits against former President Ben Ali

The number of lawsuits against former President Ben Ali, his family and his relatives reached 159, including cases under which contracts were granted in dubious circumstances to foreign companies for realisation of infrastructure projects in Tunisia. Among the new cases brought against officials of the former regime are also those related to the falsification of presidential and legislative elections (2004) and municipal elections (2005), said Tuesday representative of the Justice Ministry Kadhem Zine El Abidine, at the regular press briefing of the Prime Ministry's communication cell. An investigation was initiated against the former president, members of his government and secretaries general of the disbanded Constitutional Democratic Rally, he specified. Several financial corruption cases are under examination by courts. They involve the son-in-law of the former president Sakhr El Materi, accused of perceiving commissions of 5 to 10% from a large economic group whose name was not disclosed to facilitate the achievement of important projects in Tunisia. The son-in-law of the former president would have also used fraudulent means for the transfer and laundry of these funds abroad, said the official of the Justice Ministry. The project of the Culture City, located at Mohamed V Avenue, is also among the new cases brought against former President Ben Ali and his relatives. The representative of the Justice Ministry said the realisation of this project was not consistent with provisions of the law on procurement contracts. The foreign company entrusted with the project did not meet the deadlines of realisation of this project which involves payment of interests. The project of the Culture City whose first part extends over 49 thousand m2 and the second over 22 thousand m2 recorded a delay. The Justice Ministry decided to devote specialised court chambers to rule on financial corruption cases in connection with the former president and his relatives. Investigation offices and court chambers were also dedicated for the same purpose in courts of first instance, the Court of Appeal of Tunis and the Court of Cassation, announced last Saturday the Justice Ministry.