26 March 2014 – Sakher El Materi, businessman and son-in-law of toppled Tunisian autocrat Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali was granted an extension on his asylum Thursday in the Indian Ocean island nation of Seychelles.

El Materi faces charges of corruption, money laundering, and drug consumption. An arrest warrant was issued for him by a court in Tunisia on January 26, 2011, days after his father-in-law fled the country for Saudi Arabia.

In a statement, Seychelles said the extension was given on the basis of “danger” to El Materi and the risk of an “unfair trial” in Tunisia, according to AFP, adding he could face execution, illegal in Seychelles.

“The Republic of Seychelles does not impose nor recognise capital punishment under her constitution and remains dissuaded that the Tunisian Republic would not seek the death penalty,” the statement added, according to AFP.

El Materi fled in January 2011 and was first hosted by Qatar, but then forced to leave in December 2012. He applied for and was granted political asylum in Seychelles in January 2013.

El Materi owned a number of firms while his father-in-law was in office.

See more at: http://www.tunisia-live.net/2014/03/26/ben-ali-son-in-laws-asylum-in-seychelles-extended/#sthash.2Mt5EErj.dpuf