Acid attack girls to return to Zanzibar to help catch culprits

 
Acid horror: Katie Gee (left) and Kirstie Trup, pictured together as they were about to leave on their trip to Zanzibar
20 February 2014

Two British students doused with acid in a random attack in Zanzibar are set to return to the island with Scotland Yard detectives to attend an ID parade to help catch the culprits.

British police are expected to join the investigation into the attack on the two girls, who were on a gap year on the island.

Friends Kirstie Trup and Katie Gee, both 18, suffered serious burns after being covered in battery acid by two men on a moped as they walked back from a restaurant in Stone Town, the island’s capital, in August last year.

Both girls, who were doing volunteer work with the charity Art in Tanzania for the summer, were flown back to the UK and needed skin grafts for their injuries.

Local police have arrested at least 15 people in connection with the attack but so far no one has been charged.

Now Met detectives are expected to be asked to help in the inquiry.

British officers are expected to accompany the two girls to Zanzibar where they will attend an identity parade of possible assailants.

The officers are also planning to share evidence with counterparts in Zanzibar and assist their investigation.

A Met spokeswoman said: “We are in communication with the Zanzibar authorities and an international letter of request from Zanzibar is anticipated.”

Kirstie’s father Marc Trup, 51, said the letter seeking assistance would be a major step forward in the investigation. He added: “It would be fantastic if we can get to that step. We have been waiting for this since Christmas.

“Until it happens there is not much we can do. Kirstie is moving on — she is at university but she would like a conclusion to this.”

Mr Trup, from Hampstead, said he “would love to know what made these people do it”.

The girls have been told they may also have to travel back to Zanzibar to give evidence in court if suspects are charged.

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