Trabelsi`s lawyer had requested the postponement of the case against his client, but the judge refused and decided to issue the sentence, TAP said.
Trabelsi, who attended the audience, is pursuing a hunger strike he started on Nov. 8 to protest against what he termed as " the absence of the conditions for a fair trial."
The accused, who has already been indicted on charges including drug possession and use, money laundering and embezzlement, faces further trials.
A Tunisian court has lately also issued international arrest warrants against Ben Ali`s wife Leila Trabelsi, and her elder brother Belhassen Trabelsi for their involvement in a swindle case.
Leila Trabelsi is allegedly living in Saudi Arabia where the former president and his family were given refuge, while her brother, a millionaire businessman, has fled to Canada. (*)
Editor: Kunto Wibisono
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
