From ITV News
A senior politician has claimed for the first time that suspect have been charged with carrying out a horrific acid attack in Zanzibar two years ago on two teenage British volunteers, saying that they have links to Islamic terror group Boko Haram.
Writing for US political website The Hill, Abdulrahman Kinana, a senior politician from the ruling party, claims that the British pair were attacked by members of the Uamsho or “Awakening” group who have now been charged with the crime.
Friends Katie Gee and Kirstie Trup – who were then 18 – were enjoying the last week of a trip as volunteer teachers when when men on a moped threw sulphuric acid at their heads and chests.
In his article, Mr Kinana said the groups involved frequently target foreigners and want to convert Zanzibar into “an extremist state”.Journalist Ben Taylor, who is based in Tanzania, said on Twitter that this is the first time any charges for the acid attack have been mentioned by the government.
The pair were airlifted back to the UK and Miss Gee endured extensive plastic surgery.
