Leïla Ben Ali million) from the Central Bank of Tunisia (representing half of the Tunisian gold reserves) before fleeing the country when her husband was ousted on 14 January 2011; however, the removal was denied by the bank. The Swiss government announced that it was freezing millions of dollars held in bank accounts by her family. On 20 June 2011, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and Leila Ben Ali were sentenced to 35 years in prison "in absentia" after being found guilty of theft and unlawful possession of cash and jewelry. A report came out that Leila may have attempted suicide by poisoning
History of Tunisia Monetary Fund (IMF) forced the government to raise the price of bread and semolina, causing severe hardship and protest riots. In this situation, the Islamic Tendency Movement (MTI) under Cheikh Rached el-Ghannouchi provided popular leadership. Civil disturbances, including those by the Islamists, were repressed by government security forces under General Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. The government persisted in following its program; Ben Ali was named prime minister. The 84-year-old President Bourguiba was overthrown and replaced by Ben Ali his Prime Minister on November 7, 1987. The new President changed very little in the Bourguibist political support system, except to