There's little doubt the alleged corruption extended beyond just the president. At the same time as the extended family was held, the government announced that all political prisoners were now released. Protests against the government appear to be settling.
Some 33 members of ousted Tunisian President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali's family have been held, state TV says.
It said that they were arrested as they tried to leave the country.
In a televised speech, interim leader Fouad Mebazaa vowed a "total break" with the past, an independent justice system and media freedoms.
In a separate development, the new government said it had freed all political prisoners. The reported move comes after weeks of mass protests.
