Listen to the article
A French national, recently released from prison after serving time for terrorism charges, was fatally shot by police on Friday after allegedly attempting to attack an officer with a knife and scissors near Paris’s iconic Arc de Triomphe. The incident occurred during the nightly ceremony of relighting the eternal flame at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The 46-year-old man was shot after reportedly trying to attack a guard stationed at the memorial. Another officer responded by opening fire, according to the French counterterrorism prosecutor’s office. The assailant was transported to a hospital where he later died from his wounds.
Officials revealed the man had a significant criminal history tied to terrorism. In 2013, he had been sentenced to 17 years in a Brussels prison for attempted murder of three Belgian police officers in a terrorism-related case. After serving approximately 12 years, he was released in December 2023.
Following his imprisonment in Belgium until 2015, the man was transferred to a French facility before being released on Christmas Eve last year. After his release, authorities had placed him under police supervision with regular monitoring as part of standard protocols for former terrorism offenders.
The French counterterrorism prosecutor’s office confirmed it had already opened an investigation into the man related to his connections with “terrorist enterprise” before this latest incident occurred. Details about his motives in the Arc de Triomphe attack remain under investigation.
The attack took place at one of France’s most revered monuments. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, located beneath the Arc de Triomphe, commemorates unidentified French soldiers who died during World War I and subsequent conflicts. The nightly flame-lighting ceremony is a solemn tradition honoring these fallen soldiers.
Following the incident, authorities immediately closed the Arc de Triomphe to visitors. The popular landmark, which stands at the western end of the Champs-Élysées and serves as a centerpiece of the Place Charles de Gaulle, typically attracts millions of tourists annually.
The attack comes during a period of heightened security concerns in France, which has experienced numerous terrorism-related incidents over the past decade. The country remains on high alert, particularly with the upcoming 2024 Summer Olympics set to begin in Paris in just a few months.
This incident highlights ongoing challenges French authorities face in monitoring individuals with terrorism backgrounds after their release from prison. The supervision system, which includes regular check-ins and monitoring, aims to prevent recidivism but remains imperfect in predicting or preventing all potential attacks.
No visitors or other officers were injured during the incident. Security forces quickly secured the area, establishing a perimeter around the monument while investigators gathered evidence.
The Arc de Triomphe, commissioned in 1806 by Napoleon Bonaparte, stands as one of Europe’s most recognizable monuments. Beyond its tourist appeal, it holds deep cultural and historical significance for France, serving as a site for important national ceremonies and commemorations.
French authorities have not yet released additional details about the investigation as they continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the attack and the man’s recent activities since his release from prison.
Fact Checker
Verify the accuracy of this article using The Disinformation Commission analysis and real-time sources.
8 Comments
This is a tragic incident. While details are still emerging, it’s clear that the authorities responded to a potentially dangerous situation involving a known terrorist. The public’s safety must be the top priority in cases like this.
Agreed. With a history of terrorism charges, it seems the authorities had little choice but to use lethal force to neutralize the threat. Unfortunate, but necessary to protect innocent lives.
It’s worrying to see another terror-related incident in France. While the details are still emerging, it seems the police acted quickly to neutralize a known threat to public safety. Maintaining security and preventing such attacks must be a top priority for authorities.
Absolutely. With the assailant’s criminal history of terrorism charges, the police likely had to use lethal force to protect bystanders in a high-profile location like the Arc de Triomphe. A tragic but necessary action in the circumstances.
This is a concerning development, though the police appear to have acted swiftly to neutralize the threat. With the attacker’s past terrorism charges, it seems they had little choice but to use deadly force to prevent further violence. Securing public spaces must be a top priority.
Tragic that such an incident occurred near the iconic Arc de Triomphe. Based on the details, it seems the police responded appropriately to stop a known terrorist from potentially harming more people. Maintaining public safety has to be the top concern in these volatile situations.
I agree. With the attacker’s criminal history and the high-profile location, the police likely had no choice but to use lethal force to neutralize the threat and protect innocent lives. A difficult but necessary decision in the circumstances.
Concerning to hear about this attack near such an iconic French landmark. Law enforcement had to make a split-second decision to stop the assailant from potentially harming more people. Hopefully the investigation can shed more light on the motives and circumstances.