Death – Obituary – Accident and Crime News : Man Suspected of Terrorist Attack Near Eiffel Tower Faces Charges
A man believed to be responsible for a fatal stabbing near the iconic Eiffel Tower is set to be charged with carrying out a terror attack, according to a source close to the case. The incident occurred late Saturday, against the backdrop of heightened security in France due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, as well as a series of isolated attacks in the country.
The incident has raised concerns about security in the lead-up to the Paris Olympic Games, scheduled for this summer. French anti-terrorist prosecutors have taken charge of the case, launching an investigation into a possible terrorist plot.
The suspect, Armand Rajabpour-Miyandoab, is a French national born in 1997 to Iranian parents. Known to be an Islamist radical, he pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group and was under psychological surveillance for mental health issues. Rajabpour-Miyandoab was arrested for the murder of a 23-year-old German-Filipino citizen, whom he attacked with a hammer and a knife, in addition to injuring two others.
Later today, Rajabpour-Miyandoab is expected to appear before an investigating magistrate, who will formally charge him before the trial. During questioning, the suspect revealed that he carried out the attack in response to what he perceived as the persecution of Muslims worldwide. He specifically targeted the Eiffel Tower due to its illumination in the colors of the Israeli flag, following the Hamas attacks in Israel on October 7, which resulted in numerous casualties.
Prosecutors revealed that Rajabpour-Miyandoab, who hails from a non-religious family, converted to Islam at the age of 18 and immersed himself in extremist propaganda from the Islamic State. In 2016, he had been sentenced to five years in prison for planning an attack but was released in 2020.
France’s Interior Minister, Gerald Darmanin, commented on the case, stating that there had been a “psychiatric failure” in the suspect’s treatment, as doctors had previously deemed him to be improving. The suspect’s mother had expressed concerns about his behavior as recently as October, but at that time, there was insufficient evidence to take legal action.
As the investigation progresses, French authorities remain vigilant in their efforts to ensure the safety and security of the country, particularly with the upcoming Paris Olympic Games on the horizon.