France seizes bank accounts of Ben Ali aides

France seized on Wednesday, 12 bank accounts of four of the aides of ousted Tunisian president Zine el Abidine Ben Ali, a total sum of around 12 million euros.   

AFP/Fethi Belaid

French courts had already seized an aeroplane belonging to the family of the former ruler during the course of the inquiry, which was launched after the fall of Ben Ali's regime on 14 January.

The case was brought to court by anti-corruption organisations Sherpa, and Transparency International France, as well as the Arab human rights commission.

Sherpa lawyer William Bourdon said "It's a step, but it's a drop in the ocean."

A source close to the investigation said around 30 assets, property and others, had been identified, including around 10 in the suburbs of Paris.