The Tunisian provisional government is seeking the arrest of Belhassen Trabelsi, the “notorious” brother-in-law of ousted President Ben Ali and a senior member of his inner circle, who arrived in Montreal last week. Trabelsi is accused of a number of financial crimes, including illegally obtaining property and illegal possession of transfer of foreign currency. Trabelsi, who arrived with his family in Canada last week after fleeing the mass uprisings in Tunisia, has permanent residency in Canada which makes it difficult for Canadian authorities to hand him over to Tunisian authorities. While he could lose the right to stay in Canada if he has not spent at least two of the last five years in the country, he could claim refugee status. The Canadian government may freeze his assets if requested by the Tunisian government.

The Globe and Mail