Imed Trabelsi
Encyclopedia
Imed Trabelsi is a businessman, politician, and favorite nephew of Leïla Ben Ali
, the former First Lady of Tunisia, Trabelsi was formerly the mayor of La Goulette, Tunisia
. Under Ben Ali's regime, Trabelsi controlled the construction industry in Tunisia, in addition to operating a franchise of the French company Bricorama
.
Imed Tabelsi and Moaz Trabelsi (also a nephew of Leïla Ben Ali,), were both accused of the 2006 theft of a yacht owned by the French businessman Bruno Roger, chairman of the company Lazard
. Imed and Moaz were suspected after the yacht was found in Sidi Bou Said
. Although prosecutors brought the case to court in France, the French judge ruled the trial should take place in Tunisia. Trabelsi was found to be innocent by a Tunisian judge. Both Imed and Moaz were placed on an Interpol
wanted list. The yacht was returned to its owner.
After President
Zine El Abidine Ben Ali
stepped down from power and fled the country as a result of the 2010–2011 Tunisian protests, Imed Trabelsi was prevented from leaving Tunisia by a pilot and was imprisoned in a "military hospital". His house in La Marsa
was looted. Al Jazeera
reported that Trabelsi had been killed on January 15 .
Although some initial reports stated that he had been killed by a mob while at the Tunisian airport or stabbed by a fisherman in La Goulette, most reported that Trabelsi died in a military hospital after being stabbed Later reports by the Tunisian government indicated that Trabelsi was alive and being questioned by the government. He appeared in court on April 20th 2011 for drug consumption charges and is awaiting sentencing and further prosecutions. The trial has been postponed until May 7th, with the judge who presided over Trabelsi's yacht theft trial being named to the case.
Leïla Ben Ali
Leïla Ben Ali , is the wife of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, the former president of the Tunisian Republic. She is the current president of the Arab Women Organization and chair of the Basma Association, a charitable organization working to secure employment for the disabled. In July 2010, Mrs. Ben Ali...
, the former First Lady of Tunisia, Trabelsi was formerly the mayor of La Goulette, Tunisia
La Goulette
La Goulette is the port of Tunis, the capital of Tunisia. The Kasbah fortress was built in 1535 by Charles I of Spain but was captured by the Ottoman Turks in 1574...
. Under Ben Ali's regime, Trabelsi controlled the construction industry in Tunisia, in addition to operating a franchise of the French company Bricorama
Bricorama
Bricorama is a home improvement retailer based in Noisy-le-Grand, France. The company's first store was opened in 1975. Today it employs over 4000 people. It is a member of the CAC Small 90.- External links :* * *...
.
Imed Tabelsi and Moaz Trabelsi (also a nephew of Leïla Ben Ali,), were both accused of the 2006 theft of a yacht owned by the French businessman Bruno Roger, chairman of the company Lazard
Lazard
Lazard Ltd is the parent company of Lazard Group LLC, a global, independent investment bank with approximately 2,300 employees in 42 cities across 27 countries throughout Europe, North America, Asia, Australia, Central and South America...
. Imed and Moaz were suspected after the yacht was found in Sidi Bou Said
Sidi Bou Said
Sidi Bou Said is a town in northern Tunisia located about 20 km from the capital, Tunis.The town got its name for a Muslim religious figure who lived there, Abou Said ibn Khalef ibn Yahia Ettamini el Beji . The town itself is a tourist attraction as it is known for the extensive use of blue and...
. Although prosecutors brought the case to court in France, the French judge ruled the trial should take place in Tunisia. Trabelsi was found to be innocent by a Tunisian judge. Both Imed and Moaz were placed on an Interpol
Interpol
Interpol, whose full name is the International Criminal Police Organization – INTERPOL, is an organization facilitating international police cooperation...
wanted list. The yacht was returned to its owner.
After President
President of Tunisia
The President of Tunisia, formally known as the President of the Tunisian Republic is the head of state of Tunisia. Tunisia is a presidential republic in which the president is the head of the executive branch of government with the assistance of the Prime Minister of Tunisia, formally the head of...
Zine El Abidine Ben Ali
Zine El Abidine Ben Ali
Zine El Abidine Ben Ali is a Tunisian political figure who was the second President of Tunisia from 1987 to 2011. Ben Ali was appointed Prime Minister in October 1987, and he assumed the Presidency on 7 November 1987 in a bloodless coup d'état that ousted President Habib Bourguiba, who was...
stepped down from power and fled the country as a result of the 2010–2011 Tunisian protests, Imed Trabelsi was prevented from leaving Tunisia by a pilot and was imprisoned in a "military hospital". His house in La Marsa
La Marsa
La Marsa is a coastal town in far north eastern Tunisia near the capital Tunis. It is located at around . The population is estimated as 65,742, as of 2006. The old summer capital of pre-colonial Tunisia, it is today a popular vacation spot for many middle class Tunisians.It is connected to Tunis...
was looted. Al Jazeera
Al Jazeera
Al Jazeera is an independent broadcaster owned by the state of Qatar through the Qatar Media Corporation and headquartered in Doha, Qatar...
reported that Trabelsi had been killed on January 15 .
Although some initial reports stated that he had been killed by a mob while at the Tunisian airport or stabbed by a fisherman in La Goulette, most reported that Trabelsi died in a military hospital after being stabbed Later reports by the Tunisian government indicated that Trabelsi was alive and being questioned by the government. He appeared in court on April 20th 2011 for drug consumption charges and is awaiting sentencing and further prosecutions. The trial has been postponed until May 7th, with the judge who presided over Trabelsi's yacht theft trial being named to the case.