Imed Trabelsi

Imed Trabelsi (born August 26, 1974 in Tunis) is a businessman, politician, and favorite nephew of Leïla Ben Ali, the former First Lady of Tunisia,[1][2][3][4] Trabelsi was formerly the mayor of La Goulette, Tunisia.[5][6] Under Ben Ali's regime, Trabelsi controlled the construction and alcohol industry in Tunisia, in addition to operating a franchise of the French company Bricorama.[7][8]

Imed Tabelsi and Moaz Trabelsi (also a nephew of Leïla Ben Ali,), were both accused of the 2006 theft of a yacht owned by the French businessman Bruno Roger, chairman of the company Lazard.[9][10] Imed and Moaz were suspected after the yacht was found in Sidi Bou Said.[10] Although prosecutors brought the case to court in France, the French judge ruled the trial should take place in Tunisia.[10] Trabelsi was found to be innocent by a Tunisian judge.[11] Both Imed and Moaz were placed on an Interpol wanted list.[12] The yacht was returned to its owner.[12]

After President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali stepped down from power and fled the country as a result of the Tunisian Revolution, Imed Trabelsi was prevented from leaving Tunisia by a pilot and was imprisoned in a "military hospital".[2] His house in La Marsa was looted.[10] Al Jazeera reported that Trabelsi had been killed on January 15.[2][13]

Although some initial reports stated that he had been killed by a mob while at the Tunisian airport or stabbed by a fisherman in La Goulette, most reported that Trabelsi died in a military hospital after being stabbed[6][10][14] Later reports by the Tunisian government indicated that Trabelsi was alive and being questioned by the government.[8][15] He appeared in court on April 20, 2011 for drug consumption charges and is awaiting sentencing and further prosecutions. The trial has been postponed until May 7, with the judge who presided over Trabelsi's yacht theft trial being named to the case.[10]

References
  1. "Accusations Have Been Made Against the Trabelsi Family". Finance Behavior. 14 January 2011. Archived from the original on 2011-01-18. Retrieved 15 January 2011.
  2. Borzou Daragahi; Sihem Hassaini (15 January 2011). "Tunisia protests force president from power". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 15 January 2011.
  3. "Norwegian newspaper claims U.S. ignored Tunisian corruption". Catholic Online. 18 February 2011. Archived from the original on 2011-07-25. Retrieved 18 February 2011.
  4. Samuel, Henry (10 February 2011). "Tunisian deposed leader dominated by 'Lady Macbeth'". The Telegraph. Retrieved 18 February 2011.
  5. Arfaoui, Jamel (10 August 2010). "Tunisian clerics see tourism as cultural bridge". Magharebia. Retrieved 15 January 2011.
  6. "Tunisia: close relative of Ben Ali slain". Agence France-Presse. 16 January 2011. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  7. "Ali Baba gone, but what about the 40 thieves?". The Economist. 22 January 2011.
  8. Frangeul, Frédéric (21 January 2011). "Les Trabelsi, ce clan honni des Tunisiens". Europe 1. Archived from the original on 22 January 2011. Retrieved 23 January 2011. Alt URL
  9. Adusei, Lord Aikins. "Tunisia: Opportunity for United States to Begin a New Chapter". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  10. Jenny Barchfield; Elaine Ganley (17 January 2011). "Tunisians hail fall of ex-leader's corrupt family". Associated Press. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  11. Ben Bouazza, Bouazza (20 April 2011). "Nephew of ousted Tunisian president goes on trial amid insults for using drugs". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 2011-04-29. Retrieved 7 May 2011.
  12. Majoli, Alex (23 January 2011). "A Dictator Dispatched". Newsweek. Retrieved 30 January 2011.
  13. Business News
  14. Elaine Ganley; Bouazza Ben Bouazza (16 January 2011). "Gunbattles, food shortages temper Tunisians' joy". Associated Press. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  15. "Interior Minister: security in most regions of country improved substantially". Tunisia Online News. Archived from the original on 2011-01-27. Retrieved 23 January 2011.


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