‘Mastermind’ of Tunisia Attacks Blows Himself Up as Police Close In

(Bloomberg) -- A militant who blew himself up overnight in the Tunisian capital when surrounded by police was the mastermind behind twin suicide attacks that shook the North African nation last week, officials said.

The June 27 incidents in the heart of Tunis, which left one policeman dead, wounded eight others and were claimed by Islamic State, have cast a shadow over Tunisia's efforts to revive its economy, years after the 2011 uprising that ousted long-time autocrat Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. They came ahead of planned presidential and parliamentary elections this year, and as the country struggles to rebuild its vital tourism sector.

Prime Minister Youssef Chahed said Wednesday the attacks were linked to a group seeking to disrupt the country's push for stability, and they'd been planning other operations, the state-run TAP news agency reported.

Tunisian President Hospitalized as Suicide Attacks Hit Capital

The militant who blew himself up was identified as Aymen Smiri by the head of the Judicial Counter-Terrorism Division, Sofien Setit. He said by phone that Smiri was the “mastermind” of last week's attacks.

TAP reported Wednesday that security forces had found about 10 kilograms (22 pounds) of explosives buried in a mosque courtyard in the same area of Tunis where Smiri was cornered.

Tunisia saw a spate of fatal militant attacks targeting tourists in 2015 that battered the industry and set back efforts to boost economic growth in a nation desperate for foreign investment. At the same time, bickering between political parties, along with grappling with the powerful labor unions, have stymied cost-cutting and other measures seen needed for a revival.

To contact the reporter on this story: Jihen Laghmari in Cairo at jlaghmari@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Alaa Shahine at asalha@bloomberg.net, Tarek El-Tablawy, Michael Gunn

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