(AhlulBayt News Agency) - More than 100 people have been killed, many of them by live rounds fired by Ben Ali's security forces, during the revolution that forced Ben Ali to flee on January 14.
The extradition request relates to new charges against Ben Ali for "committing and inciting homicide and sowing discord between citizens of the country," the Tunisian Foreign Ministry was quoted by Reuters as saying in a statement carried by state media.
Tunisia had previously asked the Interpol to help find Ben Ali and members of his family and arrest them on charges of theft and currency offences.
Ben Ali took power in 1987 and was seen a repressive ruler who ignored the country's poor and raided public funds.
The 74-year-old former dictator reportedly fell ill after fleeing to Saudi Arabia. He is said to be in a critical situation in hospital after suffering a stroke.
The extradition request comes as demonstrations continue in crisis-hit Tunisia.
This is while thousands massed in the Tunisian capital, Tunis, on Sunday, demanding changes to the interim government, which many accuse of retaining links to the disgraced former regime.
The pro-democracy protesters want Tunisia's interim Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi to resign.
Ghannouchi has retained his position despite serving under Ben Ali from 1999.
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