11-6-2023 (PARIS) The suspect involved in a knife attack that left four toddlers and two pensioners wounded in the southeastern French town of Annecy on Thursday (Jun 8) has been taken into custody, according to the local prosecutor’s office.
The suspect, identified as a 32-year-old Syrian refugee, is facing charges of attempted murder and resisting arrest with a weapon, as confirmed by the prosecutor.
During a press conference, Annecy Prosecutor Line Bonnet-Mathis stated that the injured victims are no longer in critical condition, although the four children remain hospitalized.
This knife attack marks the first violent incident targeting children since 2012 when Mohamed Merah, a gunman, targeted three Jewish children, their parent, and three soldiers in Toulouse.
While in police custody and when brought before judges, the suspect has chosen to remain silent, as noted by the prosecutor. A psychiatric evaluation was conducted, which concluded that he is mentally fit to be held in custody.
Tests for drugs and alcohol came back negative. “At this stage, it is premature to determine his motivations,” Bonnet-Mathis emphasized, reiterating that there is currently no evidence suggesting terrorism as the assailant’s motive.
According to BFM television, the suspect is being held in isolation at Aiton prison in the Savoie region, approximately 80km from Annecy.
The suspect was granted asylum in Sweden a decade ago after arriving from Turkey. The prosecutor mentioned that the man is believed to be married with a young child.
In October 2022, he entered France after traveling through Italy and Switzerland. The suspect has no criminal record in France and is believed to be homeless.
His asylum request in France was rejected on the grounds that he had already been granted asylum in Sweden.
Witnesses reported hearing the suspect call out for “his wife, his daughter” and shouting “Jesus Christ,” added the prosecutor.
Upon his arrest, the police discovered a folding knife, two Christian religious images, a cross, as well as cash and a Swedish driver’s license.
