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Tunisia: Bardo Museum Terror Attack Trial Adjourned | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Tunisian policemen guard the Bardo museum in Tunis March 19, 2015. REUTERS/Anis Mili


Tunis- The trial over the 2015 attack at the Bardo museum in Tunisia’s capital that killed 21 foreign tourists and a policeman has been adjourned until October 31.

Two gunmen opened fire at the National Bardo Museum in an attack claimed by ISIS.

Some 22 detained suspects were in a Tunis court for Tuesday morning’s first hearing, which a source close to the case said was a procedural session.

The source, asking not to be named, told Agence France Presse that four other suspects who were not under arrest had not been present and that authorities were seeking a further 30 fugitives in connection with the attack.

The identities of those on trial have not been disclosed.

The suspects are being tried for “terrorist crimes”, according to the French Association for Victims of Terrorism and Imed Belkhamsa, a lawyer for victims of the attacks.

Four French tourists were among those killed.

Shortly after the Bardo attack, Tunisian authorities arrested 20 people and announced they had dismantled “around 80 percent of the cell” responsible.

Months later, they released eight of the suspects, including a man they had said was the head of the cell.

French lawyers for victims and their families have said the Tunisian investigation into the Bardo carnage had left “several dark areas”.