In a new brutal knife and hammer attack near the Eiffel Tower in central Paris (between Quai de Grenelle and Bir Hakeim in the 15th district), a man was killed and two others were injured, including a British tourist, on Saturday night.
According to statements from France’s Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, the victim, a German national, was with his wife when he was stabbed to death. A brave taxi driver’s quick intervention saved the wife.
The assailant, identified as Armand R., a 26-year-old French national of Iranian origin, fled the scene by crossing a nearby bridge over the Seine.
The attacker assaulted two more people, including a Frenchman in his 60s and a British tourist. Both injured received urgent medical care and their condition was declared non-life threatening.
The police eventually apprehended the suspect by tasing him. Anti-terrorism prosecutors have charged him with premeditated murder and attempted assassination resulting from a terrorist attack.
In the words of Darmanin, the accused was heard shouting “Allahu Akbar,” and he expressed sorrow, during his interrogation, over the loss of Muslim lives in Afghanistan and Palestine.
France 24 cited police sources as saying that the attacker posted a video on social media claiming responsibility for the attack, and pledging allegiance to the Islamic State (IS) and its current leader Abu Hafs.
The attacker claimed to have acted “to avenge Muslims” and hailed the accomplishments of IS members, but did not mention Palestine or Gaza.
The suspect seems to be a troubled person as he had previously served four years in prison for plotting another attack in 2016. Due to severe psychiatric disorders, he was flagged by intelligence services and placed on their watchlist.
French President Emmanuel Macron swiftly responded to the incident, categorizing it as a terrorist attack. He conveyed his condolences to the deceased German national’s family and praised the emergency services for their rapid response.
He called for a thorough investigation by the French anti-terrorism prosecutor’s office to bring justice to the victims.