Death – Obituary – Accident and Crime News : New Details Emerge About Paris Attack Suspect Known to French Intelligence
The suspect in the recent assault in Paris, which resulted in the death of a tourist and injuries to two others, was known to French intelligence services for Islamist extremism and had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (ISIS) before the attack. French authorities revealed these details on Sunday, shedding light on the background of the assailant.
Jean-François Ricard, France’s top antiterrorism prosecutor, stated at a news conference in Paris that the suspect, identified as Armand Rajabpour-Miyandoab, had exhibited “persistent radicalization” and had a prior terrorism conviction. He had also been in contact with jihadists responsible for previous terrorist attacks in France. However, it is important to note that the authorities had not detected any imminent plans for an attack, despite a recent alert raised by the suspect’s mother.
The attack has raised concerns about the challenges faced by President Emmanuel Macron’s government in ensuring the safety of the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris. Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne held a special cabinet meeting to discuss security arrangements and address the treatment of dangerous individuals following the incident.
French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin assured the public that the country would be ready to host the Olympic Games, despite the ongoing threat of Islamist terrorism. The government plans to deploy tens of thousands of security forces during the event, with heightened security measures and restricted access to sensitive areas.
France has experienced several large-scale Islamist terrorist attacks in recent years, with the country remaining on high alert since October. The police and intelligence services have successfully foiled over 40 attack plots since 2017, but the current war between Hamas and Israel has heightened the terrorist threat.
The attacker, Armand Rajabpour-Miyandoab, targeted a 23-year-old German tourist of Filipino origin near the Eiffel Tower. He used a hammer and a knife to inflict fatal injuries on the victim and also wounded two other individuals. The suspect claimed to have an explosive belt, but this turned out to be false. He was apprehended by the police after being subdued with a stun gun.
Before the attack, Rajabpour-Miyandoab recorded a video pledging allegiance to ISIS and expressing support for jihadists worldwide. He had a history of radicalization and connections with other Islamist extremists, including individuals involved in previous attacks.
Despite being born into a nonreligious family, Rajabpour-Miyandoab converted to Islam in 2015 and quickly embraced jihadist ideology. He was previously convicted on terrorism charges and had undergone psychiatric treatment as part of his release conditions. However, his treatment was discontinued in April 2023.
The case highlights the difficulty in monitoring individuals with a history of radicalization and psychiatric disorders. Security services face challenges in analyzing the threat posed by such individuals, as the combination of radicalization and mental health issues can obscure the assessment process.
“These individuals are always the hardest to track,” commented Laurent Nuñez, the head of the Paris police. The complexity of their backgrounds makes it challenging for intelligence services to effectively analyze the threat they may pose.
As the investigation continues, French authorities are working to ensure the safety and security of the country and its residents, particularly with the upcoming Olympic Games on the horizon.