Tunisia Issues International Arrest Warrant for Ousted Dictator

Justice Minister Lazhar Karoui Chebbi has asked for Interpol’s help in apprehending Zein el Abidine Ben Ali on theft charges.

When the deposed Tunisian president fled the country earlier this month, he apparently did not pack lightly. It’s believed Ben Ali made off will substantial amounts of government money, and officials in the interim government that replaced him have issued warrants against him and his family for theft and illegal transfer of foreign currency. Ben Ali and his wife sought refuge in Saudi Arabia, seven of his family members have been detained in Tunisia, and others fled abroad. An unknown number of Ben Ali’s relatives arrived in Montreal last week. Meanwhile protests continue on the streets of Tunis demanding the resignation of the interim government, which is full of Ben Ali’s political allies.