( CNN ) -- Tunisian prosecutors say they 'll seek a death sentence for former President Zine El Abedine Ben Ali , now charged in absentia with ordering the killings of anti-government demonstrators . Ben Ali has remained in exile in Saudi Arabia since the January 2011 uprising that forced him from office . He is being tried in absentia in the deaths of dozens of anti-government protesters during the revolt , and the state news agency Tunis Afrique Presse reported Wednesday that prosecutors asked a court to impose a death sentence in his case . In addition , the prosecutor 's office said former Interior Minister Rafik Kacem and dozens of other former officials now awaiting a military court 's verdict should get the `` maximum '' sentence short of death , according to TAP . Ben Ali already has been convicted in absentia and sentenced to five years in prison for his role in a 1991 case in which 17 servicemen were accused of plotting a coup against his regime . Tunisia 's revolt touched off the Arab Spring movements in several other countries that ultimately toppled three other longtime Arab rulers . One of those , former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak , also faces a possible death sentence on charges he ordered police to fire on demonstrators who demanded his ouster , but lawyers familiar with the case have said it was unlikely the ailing Mubarak would have to face the gallows . Journalist Houda Zaghdoudi contributed to this report for CNN .
President Ali has been in exile in Saudi Arabia since his overthrow . He is being tried in absentia on charges he ordered police to fire on demonstrators . Several former officials in his government are awaiting a military court 's verdict .