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Tunisia arrests museum attack cell leader

The official declined to reveal the identity of the detained cell leader, citing security reasons.

25.03.2015 - Update : 25.03.2015
Tunisia arrests museum attack cell leader

TUNIS 

Tunisian security authorities have arrested the leader of the militant group that carried out last week's deadly attack on a Tunis museum, the Interior Ministry has said.

"The cell was comprised of 15 terrorists. Each one had a special task such as coordination, providing weapons, preparing for the attack, among others," ministry spokesman Rafik Chelli told The Anadolu Agency.

The official declined to reveal the identity of the detained "cell leader," citing security reasons.

"The cell met months ago with wanted Algerian terrorist Luqman Abu Sakhr, the leader of Uqba ibn Nafi militant group, which recently swore allegiance to Daesh," Chelli told AA.

At least 23 people, including 20 foreign tourists, were killed last Wednesday when gunmen stormed Tunis' Bardo Museum.

Tourists from Italy, Japan, Poland and Spain were among those killed in the attack, responsibility for which was later claimed by a Daesh-affiliated group.

On Monday, Tunisian Interior Minister Najem Gharsalli sacked several senior security officials over the attack.

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