Tunisia Sentences Five to Death in 2019 Terror Bombings

Police officers are seen at the site of an explosion in downtown Tunis, Tunisia, June 27, 2019. REUTERS/Zoubeir Souissi
Police officers are seen at the site of an explosion in downtown Tunis, Tunisia, June 27, 2019. REUTERS/Zoubeir Souissi
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Tunisia Sentences Five to Death in 2019 Terror Bombings

Police officers are seen at the site of an explosion in downtown Tunis, Tunisia, June 27, 2019. REUTERS/Zoubeir Souissi
Police officers are seen at the site of an explosion in downtown Tunis, Tunisia, June 27, 2019. REUTERS/Zoubeir Souissi

A Tunisian court in charge of investigating terrorism-related cases sentenced to death on Tuesday five defendants in the 2019 terrorist explosions.

The twin blasts occurred on the same day in Charles de Gaulle Street in central Tunis and another near a police station in Al-Qarjani district.

The court sentenced three of the accused to death and 10 years imprisonment in the case of the terrorist blast in Al Qarjani district. A suicide bomber on his motorbike waited for a few minutes until the gate of the headquarters of the anti-terrorism brigade was opened. He then blew himself up, wounding four and killing one.

Investigations showed that the attack wasn't an individual act but had several perpetrators.

The second terrorist explosion targeted a municipality police patrol that was stationed at the entrance of Charles de Gaulle Street in the capital Tunis.

Judiciary and security investigations, in this case, included seven of the accused. Two received death and 10-year imprisonment sentences, while a third was handed out a 10-year imprisonment sentence along with five-year security supervision after his release.

In the same case, the court issued life-imprisonment sentences against three others, while another detainee was sentenced to 20 years in prison along with five years of security supervision after his release.

Tunisia has been battling terrorist attacks following the 2011 revolution.

The most dangerous were the attack on Bardo National Museum, which killed 22 foreigners, and the terrorist attack on the “Imperial” hotel, which killed 39 foreign tourists – most of them Brits.

Military and security units were also targeted by a series of attacks that killed dozens.



US Defers Removal of Some Lebanese, Citing Israel-Hezbollah Tensions

Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
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US Defers Removal of Some Lebanese, Citing Israel-Hezbollah Tensions

Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)

The United States is deferring the removal of certain Lebanese citizens from the country, President Joe Biden said on Friday, citing humanitarian conditions in southern Lebanon amid tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.

The deferred designation, which lasts 18 months, allows Lebanese citizens to remain in the country with the right to work, according to a memorandum Biden sent to the Department of Homeland Security.

"Humanitarian conditions in southern Lebanon have significantly deteriorated due to tensions between Hezbollah and Israel," Biden said in the memo.

"While I remain focused on de-escalating the situation and improving humanitarian conditions, many civilians remain in danger; therefore, I am directing the deferral of removal of certain Lebanese nationals who are present in the United States."

Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah have been trading fire since Hezbollah announced a "support front" with Palestinians shortly after its ally Hamas attacked southern Israeli border communities on Oct. 7, triggering Israel's military assault in Gaza.

The fighting in Lebanon has killed more than 100 civilians and more than 300 Hezbollah fighters, according to a Reuters tally, and led to levels of destruction in Lebanese border towns and villages not seen since the 2006 Israel-Lebanon war.

On the Israeli side, 10 Israeli civilians, a foreign agricultural worker and 20 Israeli soldiers have been killed. Tens of thousands have been evacuated from both sides of the border.