Death – Obituary – Accident and Crime News : Man with Radical Islamist Ties Stabs Tourist to Death in Central Paris in Suspected Terrorist Attack
Late Saturday night, a man with a history of radical Islamism and mental health issues stabbed a tourist to death and injured two others in central Paris. The attack occurred close to the iconic Eiffel Tower around 9:00 pm, during a busy weekend. French authorities, already on high alert, have opened an investigation into a suspected “terrorist plot.”
The attacker, identified as Armand Rajabpour-Miyandoab, is a French national born in 1997 to Iranian parents. He was arrested shortly after carrying out the knife and hammer attack. Prosecutors specializing in terrorist incidents are looking into the case, suspecting him of murder against the 23-year-old victim, a German-Filipino citizen, as well as attempted murder against a 66-year-old British citizen and a 60-year-old French national. The authorities believe these acts were in connection with a terrorist plot.
At the time of the attack, Rajabpour-Miyandoab shouted “Allahu Akbar” (Arabic for “God is greatest”). Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin revealed that the suspect, who resides with his parents in the Essonne region south of Paris, expressed discontent over the killing of Muslims in Afghanistan and Palestine. He accused France of being complicit in Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip.
The incident drew immediate responses from top French officials. Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne vowed not to succumb to terrorism, while President Emmanuel Macron sent his condolences to the victim’s family, describing the attack as a “terrorist attack.”
Authorities have discovered that the attacker posted a video claiming responsibility for the attack on social media. Investigators will closely examine Rajabpour-Miyandoab’s medical history, as he is considered “very unstable and easily influenced.” Questions have been raised regarding whether he received proper medical monitoring.
This is not the first time Rajabpour-Miyandoab has been involved in criminal activities. In 2016, he was sentenced to four years in prison for planning another attack in Paris’ business district La Defense, which he failed to carry out.
A heroic taxi driver who witnessed the incident intervened, preventing further harm to the slain tourist’s wife. The attacker then crossed a bridge, attacking others and injuring one person with a hammer. Police pursued him and used a taser to neutralize and apprehend the suspect.
President Macron expressed gratitude to the security forces for their quick response and arrest of the attacker, emphasizing the importance of serving justice on behalf of the French people.
Paris, with its upcoming hosting of the 2024 Summer Olympic Games, has been under heightened security scrutiny. Despite a relative lull in recent years, France remains vigilant due to the persistent threat of Islamist extremism. The tensions in the country have further escalated following the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas.