( CNN ) -- Former Tunisian President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali said Monday he has been unfairly portrayed and discredited by political opponents seeking to make a break with their country 's past . Ben Ali , in a written statement released by his lawyer , Jean-Yves Le Borgne , said it was time to break his silence because he is `` tired of being made a scapegoat '' and is a victim of `` injustice . '' Ben Ali said that recent searches conducted of his official and personal offices were `` merely stage dressing '' meant to discredit him . The former leader denied allegations that he has improper bank accounts or property holdings outside of Tunisia . He called various charges against him `` nothing but a masquerade with the only purpose of illustrating a symbolic break with the past . '' Ben Ali argued , contrary to the assertions of his opponents , that he has always worked for what he thought `` was the good of the Tunisian people , improving living standards and progressing on the path to modernity . '' Protests against Ben Ali -- who had ruled Tunisia since 1987 -- began to erupt late last year . Fed up with corruption , unemployment and escalating prices of food , people began demonstrating en masse after the self-immolation suicide of a fruit cart vendor in December . The revolt led to Ben Ali 's ouster and triggered a wave of protests against longtime rulers across North Africa and the Middle East . The former strongman 's political party has since been dissolved by a court order . Parliamentary elections have been scheduled for July . At least 300 people were killed and 700 injured during the Tunisian uprising , a top U.N. human rights expert said last month . CNN 's Gena Somra contributed to this report .
Former Tunisian leader Zine el - Ben Ali says he is being unfairly treated . Ben Ali , who was arrested earlier this year , faces a variety of charges against him . Tunisia 's decision triggered a wave of protests across North Africa and the Middle East .