Ousted Tunisian president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali is “in a coma” in a Saudi hospital following a stroke, a family friend said on Thursday.
The 74-year-old former leader slipped into a coma “two days ago” while being treated in a Jeddah hospital after suffering a stroke, according to the friend.
“He had a stroke, and his condition is serious,” he said.
Ben Ali and his family fled to Saudi Arabia on January 14 after a popular uprising ended his 23-year grip on power in the north African country.
Earlier, a spokesperson for the interim government that replaced Ben Ali’s regime would neither confirm nor deny the reports that he was in hospital.
Tunisia’s Le Quotidien newspaper reported earlier Thursday that Ben Ali had suffered a stroke.
In Tunis, there was little sympathy on the streets for Ben Ali as the news broke.
“If he dies, we’re losing a dictator and I say ‘Good riddance’,” said Adel, a 50-year-old teacher. “We’re turning a page, we’ve other things to do in this country.”
Amin, a 25-year-old student, had equally harsh assessment. “If his death is confirmed I can only say that God’s punishment has been quick.
“I’m opposed to his burial in this country.”
Ben Ali also suffers from prostate cancer.
Since Ben Ali fled to Saudi Arabia on January 14, details have gradually come to light of the extent of corruption under his rule.
He and his wife Leila Trabelsi, along with their inner circle, are suspected of having pocketed much of the country’s wealth over the years and of taking personal stakes in much of the economy.
Central bank chief Mustapha Kamel Nabli said this week that Tunisian banks funded businesses linked to the families of the couple to the tune of €1,3-billion.
Nabli said this was the equivalent of five percent of all financing by the Tunisian banking sector, and nearly 30 percent of the cash was provided with no guarantees of repayment. — AFP