The source said the three, who had been placed under house arrest shortly after Ben Ali was toppled on Jan. 14, were accused of embezzlement and abuse of power and transferred to a prison 15 km from the capital Tunis on Saturday.
Among them was Abdelaziz bin Dhia, Ben Ali`s main political adviser, and Abdelwahhab Abdalla, another top aide who was in charge of monitoring the media.
The third man to be sent to prison was Abdallah Qallal, former head of the appointed upper parliamentary house and an ex-interior minister.
"The judge questioned them and ordered their arrest," the source said.
Ben Ali was toppled by mass protests on Jan. 14 and fled to Saudi Arabia. Several members of his family and security as well as some of his closest allies were detained shortly after he was forced out. (*)
Editor: Kunto Wibisono
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