Agents of rich Gulf collectors, lovers of luxury and those simply curious to see the ill-gotten gains of the Ben Ali clan were among those drawn to a sale of the deposed Tunisian despot’s assets that began this week.
This luxury... is insulting to ordinary Tunisians struggling to get by
“We’re here out of curiosity, to see the size of the scam this country suffered from,” said Mehdi, 25, visiting the exhibition with his uncle, a car enthusiast.
“It feels like voyeurism,” he added, saying that he felt “uneasy in front of all this luxury that is insulting to ordinary Tunisians struggling to get by”.
A bright red Ferrari owned by Zine El Abidine Ben Ali’s spoilt nephew Imed, and a brand new Porsche destined for his youngest child, were among the items on show in the pharaonic decor of the Cleopatra exhibition space amid tight security.
The former belongings of Ben Ali and 114 of his relatives are going under the hammer in the chic Tunisian resort of Gammarth, in an auction due to last one month and from which the cash-strapped Government hopes to raise millions of euros.
Suits belonging to the toppled despot are expected to go for €3,000 each, while coats acquired by his wife Leila Trabelsi, who was notorious for her expensive tastes, could rack up as much as €4,000.
The collection of 39 luxury cars, only half of which were on display, was of particular interest to an agent acting on behalf of a Saudi prince.
“We have made the (purchase) request three times since February, but we had to wait for this exhibition. Today we’re ready,” he said, speaking anonymously.
Highlights from the car collection include a Lamborghini Gallardo LP 460, a Bentley Continental sports car, an armoured Cadillac and a Maybach 62. Limited edition Mercedes and BMWs also feature.
Corruption and nepotism were rife under the regime of Ben Ali, who fled to Saudi Arabia with his wife after the first Arab Spring uprising swept the country.
Most of the works of art, ornaments, furniture and some of the carpets on offer will be sold to the highest bidder, with no item thought to be worth less than €5,000.
There is a constant hum of excitement in the last viewing room, where clothing and accessories formerly owned by the disgraced First Lady are on display – including luxury shoes and handbags worth many times the minimum monthly wage.
Of the 400 jewels and ornaments confiscated by the state, only around 20 are shown, among them a made-to-measure choker that once adorned the neck of Ben Ali’s wife, sparkling with some 1,000 diamonds.
A doctor who lives in France discussed the jewellery with a diamond specialist, but his wife stepped away.
“My husband wants to buy, but I’m actually disgusted. These are fabulous jewels, but they tell a harrowing story.”