An authoritarian ruler who stifled all dissent, he was particularly loathed for allowing the family of his wife, the Trabelsi clan, to enrich themselves and gain control of lucrative sectors of the economy. Bern did not give any details of the assets the two African leaders and their families and associates held in Switzerland. Mr Ben Ali fled to Saudi Arabia on Friday after weeks of popular protests against joblessness and political repression. The statement apologised for not giving more details about the family members.
– Tunisia has arrested 33 members of the country's despised former first family. The relatives of ousted President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali were caught trying to flee the country with large amounts of valuables, reports the Financial Times. The clan of former first lady Leila Trabelsi had a huge amount of control over Tunisia's economy and were widely hated as symbols of corruption and excess, AP notes. Soon after Ben Ali and his wife fled the country, businesses and homes belonging to the Trabelsi clan were looted and burned. The ex-leader's bank accounts and other assets have been frozen by the Swiss. The arrested family members are accused of "crimes against Tunisia," according to state television. A Tunis Air pilot has become a national hero for refusing to take off while five members of the Trabelsi clan were on board a flight to France.