Tunisia urges Canada to seize Ben Ali family assets

Tunisian ambassador to Ottawa says he has yet to learn whether Canada agreed to seize Trabelsi’s assets.

Middle East Online

Still waiting for Canada's firmer response OTTAWA - Tunisia's envoy on Wednesday renewed calls for Canada to seize the assets of ousted Tunisian president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali's billionaire brother-in-law. Canada agreed last month to seize the assets of Belhassen Trabelsi, the eldest brother of Ben Ali's wife Leila Trabelsi, but Tunisia's ambassador to Ottawa says he has yet to learn whether it has been accomplished. "Canada must quickly freeze the assets before they disappear," Ambassador Mouldi Sakri said. "All we've been told so far is that Canadian privacy laws prevent the government from disclosing information in the case." Sakri noted that Switzerland and the European Union have seized the family's assets. Trabelsi reportedly arrived in Montreal with his wife, children and a nanny aboard a private jet last month and requested asylum. Melissa Lantsman, spokeswoman for Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon, said at the time that they were "not welcome in Canada." Ben Ali, his wife and other members of his once all-powerful family are accused of illegally acquiring assets and transferring funds abroad during his 23-year rule. Ben Ali resigned abruptly and fled in disgrace on January 14. Thirty-three members of his extended family have already been arrested in Tunisia.