Father of Tunisian gunman Seifeddine Rezgui says Isis 'ruined his son's brains with their ideas'

'I am so ashamed for me, for his mother, for all our family'

Hakim Regzui, father of Tunisian gunman Seifeddine, said he is shocked his son was capable of such behaviour (AFP/Getty )

The father of the Tunisian gunman who killed at least 38 people when he opened fire on tourists has spoken of his shock and disbelief that his son was capable of carrying out such a barbaric act.

Student 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 ruined my son’s brain with horrid thoughts and ideas, they broke him,” Rezgui’s father Hakinm told The Telegraph.

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

Speaking to the Associated Press, 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 victms.

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

The gunman's 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.

But the gunman'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.

Additional reporting by agencies.