This archive report was first published on 19 September 2019.
Former Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, the first leader to be toppled by the Arab Spring revolts, died in Saudi Arabia on Thursday, September 19, 2019, at the age of 83.
According to Tunisia's foreign ministry, Ben Ali's death was confirmed 30 minutes prior to the announcement, but further details were not provided.
Ben Ali's lawyer, Mounir Ben Salha, confirmed the news, citing family members and Ben Ali's doctor.
Ben Ali ruled Tunisia from 1987 until 2011, when he fled the country for Saudi Arabia following a wave of protests sparked by the self-immolation of a young trader in late 2010.
His rapid departure sparked a string of similar uprisings across the region, toppling Egyptian and Libyan strongmen Hosni Mubarak and Moamer Kadhafi.
Ben Ali was sentenced in absentia to life in jail in 2012 for his role in the deaths of protesters during the uprising that ousted him.
Little information has emerged on his life in exile, but photos posted on Instagram in 2013 showed the former strongman smiling in striped pyjamas.
