Ex-Tunisia leader on trial for deaths

TUNIS, Tunisia, Jan. 3 (UPI) -- A military tribunal is trying ousted Tunisian President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali for his alleged role in the deaths of protesters last January.

The trial for Ben Ali -- who fled the country after his ouster in the first uprising of 2011's Arab Spring -- and other former senior officials began Tuesday, CNN reported.

Ben Ali, who is living in Saudi Arabia, is being tried in absentia.

Ben Ali already has been tried and convicted in absentia for his role in a 1991 case in which 17 military officials were accused of plotting a coup against his regime. He was sentenced to five years in prison, which his attorneys said they would appeal.

In June, Ben Ali and his wife were sentenced to 35 years in prison after being found guilty of theft and unlawful possession of cash and jewelry.