Tunisian ousted leader Ben Ali and wife sentenced to 35 years

The couple, who fled to Saudi Arabia in January after a popular uprising, were also fined $66m (£41m, €46.3m).

The one-day trial in absentia focused on $27m (€18.8m) of cash and jewels reportedly found inside one of their palaces. A second case concerning Ben Ali only, which relates to the possession of drugs and weapons, was postponed.

Prosecutors said the cash and jewels, some of which had "historic value", were found in their palace in Sidi Bou Said, a town outside the capital. It was a trial conducted with a speed and efficiency the former Tunisian leader might have admired, if he had not been the accused.

The BBC reports however that it is unlikely that Saudi Arabia will allow the couple to be extradited.

Five months after they were forced to leave the country, Ben Ali and Leila Trabelsi were put on trial in absentia at the Tunis criminal court. In just one day, the case against him was outlined as the prosecution called for the toughest possible punishment. The judge duly delivered a sentence of 35 years in prison.

It is only the beginning of a series of trials, which could eventually lead to former President Ben Ali being sentence to death. His lawyer argued in court that he had been tricked into leaving the country, and read a statement in which he declared his innocence.

But the former president shows no sign of returning to argue his case. This means that for the moment the verdict, and all subsequent trials, are largely academic - a means by which the Tunisian people can try to satisfy their rage against the autocrat they successfully forced from office five months ago.

Speaking from Beirut, Ben Ali's lawyer Akram Azouri was reported by the BBC as saying that the sentence was "a joke". "Don't forget that the drug and the money were found three months after the president left his palace,” he said.

"And don't forget that I am the lawyer for President Ben Ali, and I requested the Tunisian authority to allow me to defend him, and the authorisation was not given to me."

After only six hours, the judge said it had been established that they had misused public money and sentenced to them prison. The sentences will take immediate effect, despite their absence.

The judge also ordered Ben Ali to pay $36m (€25m) and his wife $30m (€20.8m).

A second case against the ex-president, involving weapons and drugs allegedly found in a presidential residence in Carthage, was postponed until to 30 June to allow his lawyers more time to prepare.

Ben Ali is also being investigated on suspicion of murder, abuse of power, trafficking of archaeological artefacts and money laundering.

On Monday, Ben Ali issued another statement saying he had taken his family to Saudi Arabia on 14 January for safety. He said he had intended to return to Tunisia immediately, but the plane left without him, "disobeying my instructions".