| A Tunisian opposition leader, Abderrahmane Tlili, has been jailed for nine years for abusing power when he was head of the aviation authority. A court convicted Mr Tlili of profiting illegally, failing to declare properties abroad and trying to sell properties without authorisation. He was also fined $2.7m. Mr Tlili, who denied the charges, is secretary general of the Unionist Democratic Union, which has seven seats in parliament. Mr Tlili was head of the Civil Aviation and Airports Bureau when the offences took place. He was sacked in August last year prior to his arrest. The court in Tunis found him guilty of awarding contracts to acquaintances for renovating three Tunisian airports. |