The author of the arson attack on the synagogue in La Grande-Motte (Hérault) on Saturday was taken into custody from the hospital, after his arrest in Nîmes. The attacker’s plans are becoming clearer as three of his relatives have also been arrested.
The essentials:
- The synagogue of La Grande-Motte was the target of an attack on Saturday, August 24. A man set fire to several doors of the religious building, then to surrounding vehicles before fleeing. An investigation for “attempted terrorist assassinations” was opened by the national anti-terrorism prosecutor’s office.
- The assailant was arrested in Nîmes, in the sensitive Pissevin district, after fifteen hours on the run. He is a 33-year-old Algerian unknown to the anti-terrorist services and in a regular situation. Injured during his arrest, he was hospitalized but his life is not in danger. Three other people from his close circle were also arrested by the police.
- A police officer was injured while trying to secure the area. He has been released from hospital and is doing better.
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09:16 – What is the profile of the synagogue attacker?
The author of the fire in front of the synagogue of La Grande-Motte is a 33-year-old man of Algerian nationality. The man arrived in France in 2016 and is in a regular situation according to the details of the resigning Minister of the Interior, Gérald Darmanin. He is unknown to the anti-terrorist services or foreigners and has only traffic offences or other offences related to drugs as a history.
At the time of the incident, the individual was filmed by CCTV cameras with his face uncovered, which facilitated his arrest. He was wearing a red keffiyeh, a Palestinian flag wrapped around his waist and a handgun on his belt.
08:59 – Synagogue attacker questioned by investigators
The hearing of the perpetrator of the arson attack on the synagogue of La Grande-Motte has begun. The man, hospitalized when he was arrested but out of danger, was briefly interviewed on the evening of Sunday, August 25, according to information from France Inter. At the same time, three other people who were part of the assailant’s entourage were arrested and are also being interviewed.
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A fire broke out on Saturday, August 24 in front of the Beth Yaacov synagogue in La Grande-Motte (Hérault). According to information from BFMTV, firefighters intervened around 8:30 a.m. Two cars parked in front of the place of worship were on fire. A gas cylinder was reportedly stored in one of them. According to video surveillance images, a suspicious individual was leaving the scene a few moments before the flames ravaged the site. The doors of the synagogue were hit, but no one inside was injured. However, a municipal police officer was hit while setting up a security system. The exact cause or severity of his injury is not yet known.
A “manifestly criminal” act
In addition to the firefighters, bomb disposal experts were dispatched to the scene to try to control the fire. Gendarmes from the investigation unit of the Hérault group were also mobilized to carry out the initial observations.
Informed of the situation, the resigning Minister of the Interior, Gérald Darmanin, asked the prefects to reinforce the static presence of the police in front of Jewish places of worship. He speaks on X of a “manifestly criminal” act. He will go there in the afternoon, accompanied by the resigning Prime Minister, Gabriel Attal.