Anti-Semitic attack at the synagogue in La Grande-Motte: the arsonist still in custody, one of the three others in custody released
|The fire at the synagogue in La Grande-Motte. MAXPPP – SEBASTIEN NOGIER
There are only three left to be questioned by the police officers of the Anti-Terrorist Sub-Directorate, in the context of the terrorist attack perpetrated at the synagogue in La Grande-Motte, this Saturday, August 24. The main suspect, El Hussein Khenfri, and two other individuals. Indeed, a fourth person in custody was released for lack of charge.
The investigation opened on Saturday 24 August by the National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's Office (Pnat) for attempted terrorist assassinations in the context of the anti-Semitic attack on the synagogue in La Grande-Motte is continuing.
While the hearings of three suspects, including the main one El Hussein Khenfri, were extended by the judge of liberties and detention, a fourth person, who had been held in custody until then for the purposes of the investigation, was released on Monday evening.
Primary telephone contact of the main suspect
“This was one of the main suspect's preferred telephone contacts. But at this stage, no charges appeared likely to be brought against him”, the national anti-terrorist prosecutor's office indicated in a press release.
Unlike the three other suspects who were transferred to the Anti-Terrorist Sub-Directorate (Sdat) in Levallois-Perret (92), near Paris, to be questioned and establish the responsibilities of each.
Did people help him on his journey??
According to the Minister of the Interior, Gérald Darmanin, who reacted on Sunday August 25, during the 8pm news on France 2, “the DGSI (General Directorate for Internal Security, Editor's note) does not document the existence of an external organization that asked him to take action”.
However, If he seems to have acted alone that morning, before the Shabbat service, people are likely to have helped him in the realization of his disastrous project. People who would have "a link, clearly, with his journey", added Gérald Darmanin on Maya Lauqué's microphone.
Picked up by car in Grau-du-Roi
According to our information, after setting his own car on fire and then lighting several fires inside the synagogue, El Hussein Khenfri left the premises on foot, heading for Grau-du-Roi where an acquaintance came to pick him up.
Let us recall that on that day, this 33-year-old Algerian, wearing a keffiyeh on his head and a Palestinian flag on his belt, was filmed with a firearm at his waist. An axe, with Arabic inscriptions, was also found not far from the synagogue. Which leaves little doubt about his intentions.
He is waiting, no doubt, with his axe for the people to come out
And the Minister of the Interior insists on the fact that: “A tragedy was avoided […] because he is hiding at the moment when he sets fire to this synagogue where people live, including the rabbi. And he is waiting, no doubt, this is what we imagine, with his axe, his hatchet, for the people to come out. He is watching them. Fortunately, the police intervened very quickly."
More precise information will in any case be given during the opening of the judicial investigation, "which should take place on Wednesday", concludes the National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's Office.