News Digest

‘Significant suspects’ arrested in connection with Tunisia beach massacre

Tunisia’s interior minister has said a group of suspects associated with the beach resort gunman have been arrested by authorities. Thirty eight people, including what is expected to be at least 30 Britons, were killed when Seifeddine Rezgui opened fire as they sunbathed on the beach in the resort town of Sousse. Authorities have been investigating whether the 24-year-old was working alone or if he had accomplices. Interior Minister Najem Gharsalli did not give further details about the arrests but said officials were still verifying whether Rezgui had been trained in jihadist camps in neighbouring Libya.

We have started by arresting a first group, a significant number of people, from the network that was behind this terrorist criminal.

Interior Minister Najem Gharsalli

Islamic State has claimed responsibility for last Friday’s assault on the Imperial Marhaba hotel. Gharsalli did not give numbers but said everyone arrested is Tunisian and the investigation remained in its early stages. “We will find all those involved, whether it was just logistical support or not,” he added. Rezgui’s father has spoken of his shame and has apologised for his actions, saying that he had found the news difficult to “comprehend”. Hakim Rezgui said: “My god, I am so shocked. I don’t know who has contacted him, influenced him or who has put these ideas in his head. He has new friends who got him into this.”