Death – Obituary – Accident and Crime News : A man with a history of radical Islamism and mental health issues has carried out a fatal stabbing in central Paris, leading to the arrest of the suspect and the launch of a terrorism investigation. The attack took place near the iconic Eiffel Tower on Saturday night, during a busy weekend in the French capital. The incident occurred while the country was on high alert due to escalating tensions between Israel and Hamas.
The assailant, identified as Armand Rajabpour-Miyandoab, is a French national of Iranian descent. Born in 1997, he was already known to authorities and was receiving treatment for mental illness. At the moment of the attack, Rajabpour-Miyandoab shouted “Allahu Akbar,” an Arabic phrase meaning “God is greatest,” according to Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin. The suspect expressed his outrage at the killings of Muslims in Afghanistan and Palestine and accused France of being complicit in Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip.
The victim, a 23-year-old German-Filipino citizen, was pronounced dead at the scene. Two other individuals, a 66-year-old British citizen and a 60-year-old French national, were wounded and are being treated for their injuries. Prosecutors are investigating the suspect for murder and attempted murder in connection with a terrorist plot.
French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne condemned the attack, vowing not to yield to terrorism. President Emmanuel Macron expressed his condolences to the victim’s family and labeled the incident a “terrorist attack.” The quick arrest of the suspect was credited to the intervention of a taxi driver who witnessed the scene and prevented further harm.
The attacker had posted a video on social media claiming responsibility for the attack and discussing current events, government actions, and the killing of innocent Muslims. Authorities will examine the suspect’s medical history, as he was described as “unstable and easily influenced.” In 2016, he had already been sentenced to four years in prison for planning another attack, which he did not carry out.
France has experienced several attacks by Islamist extremists in recent years, including the 2015 Paris attacks claimed by the Islamic State group. Although the country has seen a relative lull in such incidents, officials have consistently warned of the ongoing threat. The recent escalation of tensions between Israel and Hamas has added to the atmosphere of unease in France, which is home to significant Jewish and Muslim populations. The security situation in Paris is also under scrutiny as the city prepares to host the 2024 Summer Olympic Games.