Two arrested for attempting to infect police with COVID-19 in Tunisia

After an alleged failed attempt to infect security officials with CIVID-19, Tunisia has arrested two men, including a suspected member of a jihadist network.

National Guard spokesman Houssem Eddine Jebabli revealed that both men were arrested on Monday in Kebili in southern Tunisia.

A statement by the interior ministry revealed that the suspected jihadist has been accused of having used his influence over supporters displaying symptoms of the virus.

The other accused, who was already under surveillance and required to report regularly to a police station, said that he was told to deliberately cough everywhere to contaminate officers during his visit, the ministry said.

Tests are being carried out to determine if the second arrested man is infected with the novel coronavirus, the ministry said.

Tunisia, which has registered hundreds of coronavirus infections and several dozen deaths, has been under a state of emergency since a string of jihadist attacks in 2015.

(AFP)