Man arrested in connection with the stabbings in Paris has been admitted to a psychiatric ward
The man, who was detained whilst disoriented and making contradictory statements, is under investigation as the authorities assess the possible motive for the attack
The health of the man who carried out yesterday’s knife attack in Paris has been deemed incompatible with pre-trial detention. This is according to information obtained by France Télévisions from the Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office. The man suspected of carrying out the attack was released from police custody on psychiatric grounds and has been “transferred to the psychiatric ward at Paris police headquarters”, the public prosecutor’s office explained, adding: “Investigations into the suspect’s background have established that he was receiving psychiatric treatment”.
Three women were injured in the attack, two of them seriously. Their conditions have now stabilised. “The third victim, who is eight months pregnant, was taken to hospital, but her life is not in danger,” the public prosecutor’s office added.
Attack with kitchen knives in Paris: three women injured, two in critical condition
In a video posted on social media, the man suspected of stabbing three people – with two knives – this morning in Paris appears to be being held down by several people whilst saying: “Allah ordered me to do it”. However, the Home Secretary, Laurent Nunez, said he remained “very cautious about the motive behind this violent act” committed by a man who “is making incoherent statements”.
The suspect has provided the authorities with a self-reported identity that has yet to be verified. The man, who – according to the video – appeared disoriented, was arrested after being stopped by an off-duty police officer, as reported on press conference by the French Minister of the Interior, Laurent Nuñez.
The three women, aged 19, 24 and 36 , were injured in the attack which took place yesterday morning at around 11.30 am near Porte de Clichy, between the brasserie “Les deux coupoles” and the tram stop ‘Porte de Clichy’ in north-west Paris, according to police sources cited by Le Figaro.
