Ben Ali jailed in absentia by Tunisian court

A military court has convicted the ousted President in absentia of inciting violence and sentenced him to 20 years.

It is Zine El Abidine Ben Ali's first conviction by a military court. He has already been convicted of drug trafficking, illegal arms trading and abuse of public funds and sentenced to 66 years in prison by a civilian court.

Ben Ali was overthrown in a month-long popular uprising last year and fled to Saudi Arabia, where he remains in exile. His fall inspired the Arab Spring uprisings.

The court convicted Ben Ali of ordering security forces to fire on protesters in Ouardanine. Four people were killed.