Special to WorldTribune.com

CAIRO — The 20 Islamists charged with attacking the U.S. embassy in Tunis in 2012 were convicted on May 28 and given
suspended sentences of two years.

Defense attorney Anwar Oued Ali, who reported the sentences, did not elaborate.

The trial of the so-called Salafists began in Tunis on May 28 amid
rising Islamist unrest in the North African state. The assault on the
embassy, which included the torching of the American school next door, led
to the death of four people and injury of more than 20 others.

“These protests were part of a spontaneous reaction throughout the
[Muslim] world against attacks on our sacred symbols,” Salah Barakati, one
of the defendants, said.

Prosecutors said a former Al Qaida operative, identified as Saif Allah
Bin Hussein, led the attack on the U.S. embassy in September 2012. They said Hussein, also known as Abu Iyad, was head of the the Salafist movement in Tunisia, called Ansar Al Sharia. In all, 73 people were arrested in connection with the attack, but most of them were later released.

Hussein has been declared a fugitive since the embassy attack. Tunisia
has not prosecuted other leaders of Ansar, which has been blamed for rising
unrest against the Muslim Brotherhood-led regime.

Earlier this month, Ansar operatives clashed with police and one person was killed
and 20 injured. Tunis has ordered the suspension of all rallies by Ansar.

“These Tunisians are in court to please the United States and the
European Union,” Barakati said.

  Al Qaida, Ansar Al Sharia, Muslim Brotherhood, Salah Barakati, Tunisian Islamists sentenced for attack on U.S. embassy