MULHOUSE: French authorities reported that a knife attack in the city of Mulhouse on Saturday resulted in the death of one person and injuries to five police officers.
According to prosecutors, two officers sustained serious injuries, while three others were lightly wounded.
French President Emmanuel Macron has described the incident as an “Islamist terrorist act.”
“There is no doubt that this was a terrorist act, specifically an Islamist terrorist act,” President Macron stated.
The suspect, a 37-year-old Algerian national, was arrested following the attack. Authorities confirmed that he was already on a watchlist for terrorism prevention. France’s Interior Ministry revealed that multiple attempts had been made to deport him, but Algerian authorities repeatedly refused to take him back.
The French National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office, which has taken charge of the investigation, reported that the suspect shouted “Allah o Akbar” while attacking the officers.
During the attack, a 69-year-old civilian bystander, reportedly of Portuguese origin, was fatally injured while attempting to intervene and prevent the assault on police officers.
The incident occurred around 4 PM local time during a demonstration in support of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Security forces, including military personnel, have been deployed to assist with the investigation.
Authorities disclosed that the suspect was born in Algeria and had been under judicial supervision in France, including house arrest. Despite a court order for his deportation, officials attempted to expel him at least ten times, but each effort was blocked by Algeria’s refusal to accept his return.
