. >> if a court has sentenced president zine al-abdine ben ali and his wife to 35 years in prison. the couple were tried in absence. they are currently in exile in saudi arabia. there were found guilty of theft and unlawful possession of cash and jewelry, and fined $65 million. >> the legal proceedings against zine al-abdine ben ali took less than a day. tried in absentia, the ousted leader and his wife were sentenced to 35 years in prison for theft and illegal possession of cash and jewelry. , said the court, protesters called for mr. ben ali to be moved back to tunisia to face the charges in person. the former president is in exile in saudi arabia. early this year, huge protests by mainly young and unemployed to nations forced mr. ben ali out after 30 years in office. this was repeated against the arab world. along with the prison sentence, he has spent forced -- ordered to pay more than $65 million in fines. his lawyer is speaking from lebanon, unable to obtain a visa to attend the trial. he said it is politically motivated. >> it is not a fair trail. -- trial. whatever sentence