Five arrested in Tunisia over alleged plot to abduct wealthy Jews

2 November 2012, 01:44 (GMT+04:00)

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Tunisian authorities have arrested five people over an alleged plot to kidnap young people from wealthy Jewish families and hold them for ransom, an interior ministry spokesman told dpa.

"On October 10 the security forces succeeded in derailing a plan hatched by five people to take two people hostage in southern Tunisia," spokesman Khaled Tarrouche said.

Tarrouche said the plot targeted "two young Tunisians from two rich families."

Local media said the arrests were made in Zarzis on the country's southern coast.

Tunisia is home to a small community of around 2,000 Jews, concentrated mainly in the south and on the island of Djerba.