After the alleged terrorist attack on a police officer near Paris, investigators arrested three people and took them into custody. They came from the environment of the 36-year-old suspect, who was killed by the police immediately after the attack. The AFP news agency reported yesterday evening, citing judicial circles.
It is common in terrorist investigations in France for people close to suspects to be taken into police custody for questioning. Investigators searched two apartments, including that of the suspect from Tunisia. He brutally murdered the 49-year-old woman in Rambouillet near Paris with a knife. The anti-terror prosecutor is investigating.
Woman died on the scene
The act took place in the town of Rambouillet around 60 kilometers southwest of Paris, as Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin announced. According to the information, the attacker was a Tunisian citizen. The newspaper „Le Parisien“ reported that the woman had just returned from lunch when she was attacked. She died at the scene.
“Statements by the attacker” indicate a terrorist motive
The attacker is said to have shouted „Allahu Akbar“ (God is greater) during the crime. The AFP news agency learned this from a source familiar with the investigation, who relied on witness statements. The French anti-terrorist prosecutor Jean-Francois Ricard said „statements of the attacker“ as well as his profile and actions indicated a terrorist motive.
Macron denounces „Islamist terrorism“
Head of state Emmanuel Macron assured in an initial reaction that the state would not let up in the fight against „Islamist terrorism“. „The nation is at the side of their family, their colleagues and the security forces,“ said the 43-year-old on Twitter. „We’re not giving in to the fight against Islamist terrorism.“
