A Tunisian court has opened trial in two new cases targeting the country's ousted president over alleged corruption in lucrative land deals.

Ex-President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali has already been convicted twice in absentia in recent weeks, for embezzlement and gun and drug smuggling.

On Thursday, another trial opened in a Tunis court without Ben Ali present. He is charged with abuse of power. He is accused in two different cases of intervening personally to secure land for his family at below-market prices.

Ben Ali faces more than 100 legal investigations that could lead to trial.

He fled to Saudi Arabia in January after a monthlong uprising over corruption and repression during his long regime, helping spark revolts around the Arab world.