Tunis demands extradition of former president Ben Ali

TUNIS/PARIS - Tunisia has demanded the extradition of former president Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali from Saudi Arabia, French media reported Sunday.

Ben Ali had been involved in “several serious crimes”, a statement from the Tunisian Foreign Ministry said, according to media.

After weeks of violent protests, the president fled to Saudi Arabia Jan 14. His ousting has since provided inspiration for anti-government protests across the Middle East and North Africa.

The Tunisian government has also demanded that Riyadh provide “as soon as possible” information about Ben Ali’s health or “about his possible death”.

Rumours have been circulating for days that the former president has been suffering from ill health.