Prosecutors demanded harsh punishments for 23 relatives and allies of Tunisia’s ousted President, accused of trying to flee the country with jewels and cash, as their trial ended yesterday.

There was tight security at the Tunis court, where defence lawyers asked judge Faouzi Jbeli to dismiss the charges in a case that has been keenly watched amid anger over abuses during Zine El Abidine Ben Ali’s 23 years in power.

However the trial judge announced that a verdict will be publicly announced tomorrow.

Most of those in the dock, who include sisters and nephews of Ben Ali’s wife Leila Trabelsi, were arrested as they were going to board a plane on January 14, the day the former presidential couple fled to Saudi Arabia.

The 14 men and nine women on trial deny the charges. They face six months to five years in prison and heavy fines, according to judicial sources.

Among those charged is Ben Ali’s presidential security chief, General Ali Seriati, accused of helping the group to leave, including with false passports and large amounts of Tunisian dinars, foreign currency and jewels.