Two men charged over Zanzibar acid attack on Jewish girls

According to reports, this is the first time the Zanzibar government has announced any charges made against suspected perpetrators of the attack.

Katie Gee and Kirstie Trup, both 18 at the time, were volunteering on the east African island in the summer of 2013 when they were doused in acid by two men on a moped as they walked down the street.

Both suffered burns to their hands, chests and faces, with Miss Gee requiring extensive plastic surgery to treat her injuries.

Following the attack, it was suggested that the girls, who had attended JFS, were targeted for being Jewish. But both have said they were careful not to wear anything that would identify their faith, and were also dressed appropriately to respect the local population’s observance of Ramadan.

The terrorist group Boko Haram is well known for using acid as a weapon in its campaign to see Sharia law imposed across Tanzania.