A court on Monday convicted the former Tunisian president of smuggling drugs, guns and archeological artifacts and sentenced him to 151/2 years in prison in the latest trial in absentia of the deposed autocrat. Former president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali will also be fined $72,000. The verdict follows a trial two weeks ago in which he and his wife each received sentences of 35 years in prison and $64 million in fines for embezzlement and other charges. Authorities say another 91 charges remain just for the civil courts. Ben Ali ruled Tunisia for more than two decades before fleeing the country on Jan. 14, after a monthlong uprising. Monday's one-day trial began with the public defenders assigned to plead Ben Ali's case walking out of the courtroom after their request for more time was turned down. The trial continued in their absence, with prosecutors citing the discovery of weapons and drugs as well as archeological treasures in Ben Ali's palace in Carthage. They also cited the testimony of the head of his personal guard and one of his bodyguards. Ben Ali has claimed in a statement that the jewels and weapons were gifts from heads of state and the money and drugs were planted.
