‘ISIS ruined my son's brains with their ideas': Tunisian gunman’s father

Tunis

The father of the Tunisian gunman, who killed at least 38 people when he opened fire on tourists, had never thought that his son could carry out such a horrific act.

The gunman Seifeddine Rezgui walked on to the beach near Sousse holding an umbrella and a Kalashnikov on Friday before firing at tourists, killing at least 17 Britons - though reports suggest the number could be as many as 30. He was shot and killed by police at the scene.

“These people (ISIS) ruined my son’s brain with horrid thoughts and ideas, they broke him,” Rezgui’s father Hakim reportedly said.

Hakim returned home on Sunday after spending two days in police custody. He said  it was difficult for him to “comprehend” that the gunman was his son.

He said: “My God, I am so shocked. I don’t know who has contacted him, influenced him or who has put these ideas in his head. He has new friends who got him into this.

“My son had no problem with anyone,” he added. “But I don’t know who has changed his mind, influenced him and who has warped his mind.”

He continued: “I wish there had been no victims, no one hurt. I wish it had never happened. Because when I see the victims I think it could have been my own family.

“I had no idea and I am really sorry. I am upset to see those victims. I feel the loss of the families so strongly. I feel like I have died along with the victims.

“I am so ashamed for me, for his mother, for all our family.”

Seifeddine’s uncle said he was “just like the other young men” who liked to play football or go to a cafe after praying in the local mosque.

His aunt, Zara Rezgui, described him as a “blank page”, but a kind, calm, “normal boy” who spent most of the time alone, while neighbours suggested Rezgui had been brainwashed.