Macron condemns ‘Islamist terror’ after deadly Mulhouse knife attack

French President Emmanuel Macron has strongly condemned a deadly attack in the eastern French city of Mulhouse – in which one person was killed and several others wounded – denouncing it as an ‘Islamist terrorist act’ and has vowed to intensify efforts to eradicate terrorism in France

A man who went on a stabbing rampage in Mulhouse, Alsace on Saturday – killing one and wounding several others – was on a terrorism watchlist and subject to deportation orders.

The knife-wielding suspect is a 37-year-old Algerian-born man identified as Brahim Abdessemed.

President Macron has condemned the incident, unequivocally labelling it an “Islamist terrorist act” and reaffirming the nation’s commitment to eradicating terrorism.

Posting on X, Macron expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and the solidarity of the French people.

The assault occurred around 4:00 PM local time near the Covered Market in Mulhouse, coinciding with a demonstration supporting the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Witnesses reported that the attacker shouted “Allahu Akbar” – “God is great” – multiple times during the rampage.

He first targeted municipal police officers, inflicting serious injuries on two – one officer sustained a wound to the carotid artery, while another was stabbed in the chest.

Three additional officers suffered minor injuries. A 69-year-old Portuguese national, who intervened to assist the officers, was fatally wounded.

The assailant was apprehended at the scene.

He was sentenced to six months in prison and issued an order to leave French territory.

Read more on RFI English

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