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Tunisia: 19 ‘toxic’ letters addressed to public figures, seized

March 2, 2019 at 12:11 pm

Security officers stage a protest demanding compensation for their loss during the revelation and severance pay for those who take part in terror operations at Habib Burgiba Avenue in Tunis, Tunisia on February 07, 2019 [Yassine Gaidi / Anadolu Agency]

The Tunisian Ministry of the Interior said yesterday that it had seized 19 letters containing toxic substances and addressed to public figures.

Tunis Afrique Presse (TNA) news agency quoted the ministry statement as saying that, in the light of the availability of information about the planning of a terrorist group to target some public figures by sending them letters containing toxic substances, the departments of the General Directorate of National Security, and the Public Prosecutor’s Office seized 19 letters.

The statement added that the necessary technical tests have confirmed that the letters contained toxic substances.

The Tunisian Ministry of the Interior pledged to look into this issue to determine who was behind the attack in order to take the necessary security and judicial measures.

The ministry also called on politicians, media professionals, trade unionists, as well as other political and public figures to immediately inform its departments if they suspect any other packages may be affected.