Tunisia sentences 16 jihadists to death over 2016 attacks that left scores dead
- The court handed 16 of the defendants Tunisia’s toughest sentence, though the country has imposed a moratorium on capital punishment since 1991
- The attacks in the town of Ben Guerdane killed 13 members of the security forces and seven civilians. In addition, 55 attackers were also killed
A Tunisian court sentenced 16 people to death in the first judgments against jihadists involved in 2016 attacks near the Libyan border that left scores dead, media reported on Saturday.
A total of 96 people stand accused in the trial relating to the March 2016 events that saw the town of Ben Guerdane become the stage of a bloody battle as members of Islamic State’s Libya branch staged a series of deadly attacks.
The court, which specialises in terrorism offences, handed 16 of the defendants Tunisia’s toughest sentence, though the country has imposed a moratorium on capital punishment since 1991.
The remaining defendants were handed sentences ranging from four years to life in prison, though a small but unspecified number of defendants were acquitted, the reports said.
The prosecution said it would appeal.
Following the attacks in Ben Guerdane, the Tunisian authorities said they had thwarted an attempt by the IS militant group to establish a foothold within the country.