Planned knife attack on secondary school in the Rhône: 15-year-old teenager committed for trial
A 15-year-old boy was committed for trial in Paris for planning an armed attack against his former secondary school in the Rhône. He has been placed under judicial supervision.
15-year-old secondary school student committed for trial over planned terrorist attack in the Rhône
A 15-year-old teenager was committed for trial on Friday 18 September in Paris for participation in an individual terrorist undertaking, following his plan to carry out a knife attack against his former secondary school located in the Rhône. As reported by TF1 Info, the investigation began on 2 May in Lyon.
The young man, described as "rather" close to the far right by a source close to the case, had not set a date for carrying out his plan. Investigators nevertheless found a bag containing two knives, military-style clothing and a chain intended to block the doors of the school.
According to sources close to the investigation, the teenager was considering "indiscriminately targeting the students" of his former school, from which he had been expelled. His profile is analysed as reflecting "an ideology with rather far-right markers". The same sources also mention a "fascination with mass shootings" and particular sensitivity to the death of Quentin Deranque, a radical far-right activist killed in February in Lyon.
The teenager was arrested in the Rhône by the Counter-terrorism Sub-directorate. He admitted to the charges during his police custody. The investigation, initially directed by the Lyon prosecutor's office, was subsequently taken over by the National Counter-terrorism Prosecution Office (Pnat). This transfer was notably motivated by the exploitation of the suspect's telephone: exchanges on Snapchat show that he had informed other internet users of his intentions and apparently received encouragement, the AFP learned from a close source.
A judicial investigation was opened for criminal terrorist criminal association. The investigating judge nonetheless retained the classification of a misdemeanour — not a crime — in pronouncing the commitment for trial for participation in an individual terrorist undertaking. The Pnat had called for remand in custody; the judge opted for judicial supervision, a decision contrary to the prosecutor's requirements.
Among the obligations imposed on the minor are compliance with the conditions of educational supervision as well as psychological and/or psychiatric support. An order prohibiting him from possessing a weapon was also served on him, according to the public prosecutor.
His lawyer, Eliott Amzallag, contacted by the AFP, stressed the "imperative necessity for educational services to work with this young man, and to accompany him peacefully in his reconstruction while the judicial investigation continues".
Source: TF1 Info