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**A prominent critic of Tunisian leader President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali has been jailed for six months after a trial criticised by rights groups.**Taoufik Ben Brik was convicted of assaulting a woman in public.
But he claimed he had been framed and Amnesty International earlier described him as a “prisoner of conscience” and urged the authorities to free him.
President Ben Ali, in power for 22 years, tolerates little dissent, though officials deny inventing the charges.
The 49-year-old journalist was said to be ill and in need of medical treatment after his arrest in October.
As well as criticism from rights groups and media organisations, the French government also expressed concern over his arrest.
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner urged his release so he could receive treatment.
But according to Reuters news agency, Mr Ben Ali responded in a speech earlier this month by attacking “foreign interference” in Tunisia’s internal affairs.