Coffins in front of the Eiffel Tower: suspects placed under the status of assisted witnesses and escape indictment

This Monday, June 3, 2024, the three suspects in the case of the coffins placed at the foot of the Eiffel Tower escaped indictment and were placed under the status of assisted witnesses.

The three men suspected of having placed coffins bearing the inscription “French Soldiers of Ukraine” on Monday escaped indictment for “premeditated violence”and were placed under the status of assisted witness, indicated the prosecution.

"These people therefore remain free. It is up to the investigating judge to decide what action he intends to take following his referral", added the Paris prosecutor's office.

A link established

According to a note from the Paris metropolitan area proximity security directorate (DSPAP), consulted by RTL, a link was established by investigators between the placement of five coffins on Saturday morning at the foot of the Eiffel Tower and the tags representing red hands affixed to the Wall of the Righteous Shoah Memorial in Paris on the night of May 13 to 14, 2024.

They are a Bulgarian aged 38, a German aged 25 and a Ukrainian minor aged 16. All three of them are unemployed and need money, according to their statements. The driver of the truck told investigators that he had been paid 120 euros for this mission. The two young people 400 euros.

Indeed, this Saturday, June 1, 2024, a Bulgarian man was checked just before the coffins were removed, by a police force, at the bottom of the Eiffel Tower. The same name appears in the investigation opened into intentional damage for the Red Hands affair.