Ben Ali trial date set for June 20

Tunisia’s ousted president Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali is to be tried in absentia on June 20.

Ben Ali fled to Saudi Arabia in January but is likely to be charged with conspiring against the state, manslaughter and drug trafficking. Riyadh has not responded to a request by Tunis to extradite Ben Ali and his wife.

The former leader was toppled after 23 years in power by mass protests which triggered the so-called Arab Spring. Democratic elections have been delayed until October 23 to vote in an assembly to rewrite the country’s constitution.

Tunisia’s economy is still recovering from the unrest – with no vast oil reserves, it relies on tourism and service industries.

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