Death – Obituary – Accident and Crime News : French prosecutors have launched an investigation into a “terrorist plot” after a man, who was known to authorities as a radical with mental health issues, stabbed a tourist to death and injured two others near the Eiffel Tower in Paris over the weekend. The attack occurred on Saturday around 9:00 pm local time, as France remains on high alert due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
The suspect, identified as Armand Rajabpour-Miyandoab, is a French national born in 1997 to Iranian parents. He was apprehended at the scene and is currently being held on suspicion of murder and attempted murder related to a terrorist plot. The attack resulted in the death of a 23-year-old German-Filipino citizen, while a British citizen and a French national were wounded.
Health Minister Aurelien Rousseau stated that the injured victims suffered superficial physical injuries but may experience significant psychological trauma. Prosecutors have scheduled a press conference for Sunday evening to provide updates on the investigation. Three individuals “close to” Rajabpour-Miyandoab are currently in custody.
Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne and Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin are set to convene a security meeting in response to the attack. Borne emphasized that France will not yield to terrorism, while President Emmanuel Macron extended his condolences to the victim’s family.
During the attack, Rajabpour-Miyandoab shouted “Allahu Akbar” (God is greatest) and expressed his anger over the killing of Muslims in Afghanistan and Palestine, accusing France of complicity in Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip. Authorities revealed that the suspect had a history of extremism and had previously been sentenced to four years in prison in 2016 for planning another attack in the La Defense business district of Paris.
The attacker’s social media video confession, where he discussed “current events, the government, and the murder of innocent Muslims,” will be scrutinized by investigators. Additionally, his medical history, as he is described as “very unstable and easily influenced,” will also be examined.
France has experienced several extremist attacks, including the 2015 Paris attacks, carried out by the Islamic State group, which claimed the lives of 130 people. While the country has seen a relative decrease in such incidents in recent years, officials have continually warned about the ongoing threat of terrorism. The recent conflict between Israel and Hamas has further heightened tensions in France, which is home to significant Jewish and Muslim populations. The security situation in Paris has also gained importance as the city prepares to host the 2024 Summer Olympic Games.
In October, a teacher named Dominique Bernard was killed in the town of Arras by a radicalized individual from Russia’s Caucasus region. These incidents highlight the ongoing challenges faced by French authorities in combating terrorism and maintaining public safety.