Tunisia arrests four others in connection with Djerba attack

President Kaïs Saïed wanted to reassure the main cult kings by receiving at the Carthage Palace on May 17 the Mufti, the Chief Rabbi and the Archbishop of Tunis, in Tunis. © Tunisian Presidency / AFP

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In Tunisia, ten days after the attack on the synagogue in Djerba that left five dead, four people in connection with the attacker were arrested on Wednesday 17 May. While the investigation continues and Tunis refuses for the moment to qualify the act as an "attack", President Kaïs Saïed received representatives of the three religions in the country on Wednesday evening to reassure them.

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With our correspondent in Tunis, Lilia Blaise

So far, authorities have communicated little about the profile or motives of the attacker, but four people were taken into custody on Wednesday. On 13 May, two people, close friends of the killer, were also arrested by the security forces on the island of Djerba.

An isolated act?

Tunisia is promoting the trail of an isolated criminal act, while the French anti-terrorist prosecutor's office has opened an investigation on the charge of "assassination in connection with a terrorist enterprise".

On the side of the Tunisian presidency, the speech is reassuring despite criticism on communication blunders and the fact that no official except the Minister of Tourism went to Djerba after the shooting.

« You are Tunisians »

Kaïs Saïed received at the palace of Carthage this Wednesday the mufti, the chief rabbi and the archbishop of Tunis. He stressed the values of tolerance in Tunisia, where Islam is in the majority, and said of representatives of other religions: "If you are affected, we will be. We will secure your temples, although they already are, as well as the practice of your rites. He added, "Live in peace, so that you can live among us. You are Tunisians, Tunisian citizens.

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>> READ ALSO: Tunisia: the compassion of the Muslims of Djerba after the attack on the Jewish pilgrimage

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  • Tunisia
  • Kaïs Saïed
  • Society
  • Religion
  • Islam
  • Criminality