Tunisian ex-leader convicted in absentia (AP)

TUNIS, Tunisia – Tunisia's former ruler and his wife were convicted in absentia on embezzlement and other charges on Monday after $27 million (euro18.97 million) in jewels and public funds were found in one of his palaces.

They were sentenced to 35 years each in prison, and fined.

The conviction of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and Leila Trabelsi followed a day-long trial before the Tunis criminal court. The couple went into exile on Jan. 14 in Saudi Arabia after a month-long uprising that sparked a string of other uprisings in the Arab world.

The ex-president was fined 50 million dinars (about $35,750) and his wife 41 million dinars for embezzlement of public funds and misappropriation. The trove of jewels, some which the court said had "historic value," and the money were found in a palace in the picturesque town of Sidi Bou Said, outside Tunis, following Ben Ali's departure.

Ben Ali, 74, vigorously denied the charges in a statement through his French lawyer, calling the proceedings a "shameful masquerade of the justice of the victorious."

Saudi Arabia did not respond to an extradition request, and some Tunisians expressed frustration that he would not be present for his judgment.

The verdict in a second case stemming from the discovery of weapons and drugs in the official presidential palace in Carthage was postponed. Public defenders assigned to Ben Ali said they needed time to study the file. The trial was to continue June 30.

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Deposed Tunisian leader to be tried

Former Tunisian leader Zine el Abidine Ben Ali says he is being unfairly discreditedBen Ali, who was deposed earlier this year, denies a variety of charges against himTunisia's revolt triggered a wave of protests across North Africa and the Middle East

(CNN) -- Former Tunisian President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali is expected to be tried in absentia this week.

The country's minister interim Prime Minister Beji Caid Essebsi has said the trial will start Monday.

Ben Ali fled to Saudi Arabia earlier this year after a revolt led to his ouster and triggered a wave of protests against longtime rulers across North Africa and the Middle East.

Protests against Ben Ali -- who had ruled Tunisia since 1987 -- began to erupt late last year. Fed up with corruption, unemployment and escalating prices of food, people began demonstrating en masse after the self-immolation suicide of a fruit cart vendor in December.

The former strongman's political party has since been dissolved by a court order. Parliamentary elections have been scheduled for July.

At least 300 people were killed and 700 injured during the Tunisian uprising, a top U.N. human rights expert said last month.

Earlier this month, Ben Ali said he has been unfairly portrayed and discredited by political opponents seeking to make a break with their country's past.

In a written statement released by his lawyer, Jean-Yves Le Borgne, Ben Ali said it was time to break his silence because he is "tired of being made a scapegoat" and is a victim of "injustice."

Ben Ali said that recent searches conducted of his official and personal offices were "merely stage dressing" meant to discredit him.

The former leader denied allegations that he has improper bank accounts or property holdings outside of Tunisia. He called various charges against him "nothing but a masquerade with the only purpose of illustrating a symbolic break with the past."

Ben Ali argued, contrary to the assertions of his opponents, that he has always worked for what he thought "was the good of the Tunisian people, improving living standards and progressing on the path to modernity."

CNN

Tunisian authorities impose curfew

Tunisian riot police face protestors in Tunis on May 6, 2011 during a youth protest against the transitional government.NEW: Police fire occasional tear gas canisters into the crowd, protesters throw stonesPolice and military are deployed in Tunis as protesters gatherAuthorities impose an overnight curfew on Tunis and surrounding areasProtests in Arab nations started in Tunisia after a fruit cart vendor set himself on fire

Tunis, Tunisia (CNN) -- Several hundred protesters were gathered in the center of Tunisia's capital Sunday as riot police stood guard.

Members of the Army and military vehicles were also deployed on the main street outside the country's interior ministry.

After police fired occasional tear gas canisters into the crowd, groups of young protesters fled and then returned. Some younger protesters threw stones at police, but older men gathered among the group urged them to calm down.

On Saturday authorities imposed an overnight curfew in the capital and surrounding areas following a weekend of protests against the interim government and security forces, state media reported.

The latest protests come amid growing concerns among Tunisians that their demands for democratic rule are not being met. Protesters are calling for the continuation of the democratization process, fundamental reforms, and a return to the ideals of the Tunisian revolution.

On Saturday protesters called for the resignation of the interior minister as they chanted, "The people call for a new revolution" and "No fear or terror, power belongs to the people," Agence Tunis Afrique Presse reported.

Authorities said the curfew, which will run nightly from 9 p.m to 5 a.m., will prevent looting and protect citizens, the government said.

Protests in Arab countries started in Tunisia when an unemployed college graduate set himself on fire after police confiscated his fruit cart and cutting off his source of income.

The act sparked massive demonstrations over high unemployment, government corruption and political repression, and led autocratic President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali to leave the country in January.

CNN's Nic Robertson contributed to this report.

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