The death of former Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali following a health crisis in his exile in Saudi Arabia, where he has been living since the 2011 revolution that toppled his regime after 23 years of rule, sparked a storm of controversy among the pioneers of social networking sites.
While many Tunisians recalled his long years of tyranny, known as tyranny and the use of an iron security grip on all his opponents, with talk or bitter experiences, others were quick to show mercy on what they called years of security and prosperity.
As soon as Mounir Ben Salha, a lawyer for the family of the former president, announced his death, the news topped the news and communication sites, and the spotlight from the candidates of the second round of the presidential elections until now.
Death and elections
Ben Ali's death came days after the country held early presidential elections, leading independent candidate Kais Said to the top, followed by Tunisia's Heart Party candidate Nabil Karoui, meaning they qualified for a second round.
It also comes at a time when the country is preparing to hold legislative elections on October 6, to complement the democratic experience that began since the popular protests that ousted Ben Ali from power, and triggered the Arab Spring uprisings in the region.
A number of Tunisians considered Ben Ali to have died for them on the day he left the country on January 14, 2011, following a popular uprising, shouting a famous video in which lawyer Abdel Nasser Aouini of Habib Bourguiba Avenue said immortal words: "The great Tunisian people." Long live free Tunisia, Tunisian people, no fear, glory to martyrs, freedom for Tunisians, Ben Ali fled, Ben Ali fled. "
According to journalist Bassam Bounni, Ben Ali died on 14 January 2011 after his health worsened from December 17, 2010, the start date of the revolution in Sidi Bouzid, following the burning of Mohamed Bouazizi himself in protest against his deteriorating social situation. .
The death event recalled what Ben Ali and his regime committed against his opponents. In painful testimonies, many spoke of the woes they had suffered in his prisons, describing how their lives had been turned upside down by their political positions.
Political activist Ali Lafi says he will not forgive Ben Ali. "For my part, I will not forgive him and in front of my Lord, I will say that he has wronged me, destroyed my life, destroyed my university path and made me homeless," he said.
"I am imprisoned. My mother and father, who once traveled hundreds of kilometers to visit me in prison, were tortured, imprisoned three times, tortured and arrested 12 times. I was administratively monitored for six years. My wife was terrified. My relatives and friends abandoned me for fear and terror."
The same is said by former political prisoner Abdel Karim Abbar, saying that he will not forgive Ben Ali for the torture and intimidation he has done against him and his children, as well as for the killing and execution of other opponents. Bridges.
Al-Matmati's story was not absent from the interactions, but topped it. The story embodied the ugliest face of the dictatorship. Believing that her son is alive while the body is buried in the concrete of a bridge.
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Ben Ali tightened his grip on power once he entered Carthage Palace in 1987, and his successive presidential terms until 2011 were marked by the suppression of dissent and restrictions on freedom of expression, but he maintained an acceptable standard of living for a broad middle class along with a period of security stability, according to observers.
In this sense, many defended the late president, considering that his rule was characterized by prosperity and security, merciful on him.
The pages and personal accounts carried pictures of Ben Ali with phrases praising his years of rule, and thanking him for his work.
Divine justice
Others have stressed that rulers should be preached and regarded from this end, seeing that while Ben Ali was not punished for what he committed during his years of rule, he will not escape divine justice.
"It does not bother me that Ben Ali will be buried in Tunisia or Saudi Arabia, as long as he will be held accountable for his actions before God after he rejected transitional justice, and as long as anyone involved in murder, torture, He looted people's money using state power.
A source headed by the Tunisian government said it would respond to the request to bury the former president in Tunisia if his family requested it, adding that the government would work for the burial ceremony "in the best circumstances," while his lawyer confirmed that he would be buried in Mecca.
Ben Ali has not appeared since his departure to the public except for the rare publication of his pictures with family members on social media.
In Tunisia, he was sentenced to severe sentences by the military judiciary in cases related to the killing of victims of the revolution and the repression of opponents and others related to financial cases.