Ben Ali on Trial

The former Tunisian president, the first political casualty of the Arab Spring, could also become the first leader convicted of criminal charges.

The first of ousted Tunisian president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali's trials is underway in Tunis, where a team of his lawyers is defending him against theft and drug charges while he remains exiled in Saudi Arabia. Ben Ali, who fled Tunisia on Jan. 14 amid a popular uprising, is accused of stealing about $27 million in jewels and cash that were found at two of his palaces. Caches of drugs and weapons were found alongside the money. If convicted, Ben Ali will face up to 20 years in prison, meaning he probably won't be coming back to Tunisia any time soon. He faces another trial on more serious charges – corruption, murder, all the usual despot stuff – at a later date.