Tunisia to probe Ben Ali family’s assets

Tunisian prosecutors have launched a probe into the domestic and foreign assets of ousted president Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali and his family members

The investigation will look into possible illegal financial transactions, foreign bank accounts and properties held by Ben Ali and his family members, the official TAP news agency reported on Wednesday.

Switzerland’s federal government said earlier Wednesday that it is currently blocking the assets owned by Ben Ali and his extended family.

Earlier this week, a French newspaper said that the ousted president’s wife took 1500 kilos of gold with her as the president and his family fled for Saudi Arabia to end his 23-year rule in the country.

The UN has announced it received information that scores of people have been killed in the past five weeks in Tunisia.

”According to this information, over 70 died as a result of live fire, seven died in protest suicides, and over 40 died during the prison riots at the weekend,” UN Human Rights Chief Navi Pillay told journalists.

Tunisia has witnessed massive protests in recent days against the continued presence of the ousted president’s party on the political scene.

Protesters marched down the main street of Tunisia’s capital on Wednesday, calling for the expulsion of Ben Ali’s allies from the transitional government.