Tunisia's former president sentenced to jail

Tunisia’s former president Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali has been sentenced in absentia to 35 years in jail, six months after his overthrow in a revolution helped to inspire the "Arab Spring".

Ben Ali, who has been in Saudi Arabia since he was forced from power, was found guilty by a Tunisian court on Monday after just one day of deliberation of theft and illegal possession of jewellery and large sums of cash.

The same sentence was handed down to his wife Leila Trabelsi. The judge also ordered that the pair pay $66 million.

During his time in office, members of his extended family accumulated fortunes while his security forces routinely arrested anyone who opposed his rule.

Tunisia's revolt electrified millions across the Arab world who suffer similarly from high unemployment, rising prices and repressive governments.

Listen to report by Kelsea Brennan-Wessels: