The suspect in the fire at the synagogue in La Grande-Motte last Saturday was brought before the court for indictment on Wednesday, August 28. He explained to investigators that he had acted “to support the Palestinian cause.”
His motives are becoming clearer. The main suspect in the fire at the synagogue in La Grande-Motte was brought before the court on Wednesday 28 August for indictment, as were the two other people placed in police custody.
The main suspect, a 33-year-old Algerian, “admitted to the facts at his first hearing,” said a statement from the National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office (PNAT). He explained to investigators that he had acted “to support the Palestinian cause.”
Although he denies “any intention to kill”, the man admitted “having intended to scare”. He intended, through his action with strong symbolic significance, to make the Israeli authorities react”.
“Hatred of Jews”
“From various hearings and his publications on social networks, it appears that EHK has become radicalized in the practice of his religion for several months and has also harbored a long-standing hatred of Jews, more specifically focused on the situation in Palestine. He has finally informed some of his close friends of his intention to go and fight in Gaza,” explains the Pnat.
According to the prosecution, the suspect had prepared his action “in the weeks preceding the events”. In particular, he had “acquired a handgun and carried out various internet searches on synagogues in the region, Jewish holidays and the Shabbat period. He had finally carried out more targeted reconnaissance on the synagogue of La Grande-Motte”.
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