Ben Ali is facing a tribunal in absentia for his alleged role in the killing of protesters . The 75-year-old fled with his wife Leila to Saudi Arabia , and attempts to return him for trial have so far proved fruitless . In a statement released by his lawyer last June he said he was a victim of `` injustice '' Ben Ali trained as a soldier and became head of the defense ministry 's intelligence section . He also claimed that he had been tortured during interrogation, but did not specify what kind of torture or how many times it took place.
Ben Ali is facing a tribunal in absentia for his alleged role in the killing of protesters . In a statement released by his lawyer last June he said he was a victim of `` injustice '' Ben Ali trained as a soldier and became head of the defense ministry 's intelligence section . He also claimed that he had been tortured during interrogation, but did not specify what kind of torture or how many times it took place.