Murder of teacher Dominique Bernard in Arras: national counter-terrorism prosecutor seeks trial for suspect, his brother and cousin
The national counter-terrorism prosecutor's office has requested a trial for Mohammed Mogouchkov, the main suspect in the murder of French teacher Dominique Bernard on 13 October 2023 in Arras, as well as for his younger brother and cousin.
Murder of teacher Dominique Bernard in Arras: national counter-terrorism prosecutor seeks trial for suspect, his brother and cousin
Magistrates of the national counter-terrorism prosecutor's office filed a request on Tuesday 23 June for Mohammed Mogouchkov, the man accused of killing French teacher Dominique Bernard, to be tried before a criminal court. The request also targets two other family members: his brother, who was still a minor at the time of the events, and a cousin of the same age.
The attack occurred on 13 October 2023, outside Gambetta-Carnot secondary school in the municipality of Arras. The young man, placed under a monitoring scheme for radicalised individuals, used multiple blades to fatally strike his former teacher. Three other people were injured during the assault. Shortly afterwards, he circulated a video recording in which he claimed to be acting on behalf of the terrorist organisation Islamic State.
For the alleged attacker, the magistrates are seeking a trial by the special juvenile court of assize. The charges include notably murder committed in the course of a terrorist action, as well as his involvement in a criminal group of a terrorist nature.
Regarding his brother, the qualification of complicity in homicide is not being pursued. However, the prosecutor's office believes he must answer for his membership of a criminal group of a terrorist nature before the same special juvenile court of assize.
The cousin, also a minor at the time of events, would be referred to the juvenile court for the offence of failure to assist a person in danger—that is, for failing to intervene to prevent the act from being carried out.
During interrogations conducted as part of the investigation, Mohammed Mogouchkov explained that he had deliberately selected his victim. According to his account, the subject taught by this teacher symbolised for him an attachment to the republican system, democracy and fundamental rights.
Source: franceinfo
Source: France Info