On October 3, the medieval church of Saint-Hilaire-le-Grand in Poitiers was set on fire, damaging in particular the works of art inside the building without causing any casualties. The church, decorated with paintings and sculpted columns, was classified as a historic monument in 1847, then designated a UNESCO world heritage site in 1998.
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A 34-year-old man was identified by investigators, thanks in particular to his DNA found on two matches and the phone of his 12-year-old daughter who was near the building the night of the fire.
Guilty but irresponsible
Tried on Friday for arson, the thirty-year-old was found guilty but not criminally responsible by the court. Based on the psychiatric expertise of the defendant who reported a “delusional psychosis with a mystical and megalomaniacal dimension”, the prosecution highlighted the lack of discernment and requested his internment. The court followed this requisition, ordering the forced hospitalization of the accused.
At the bar, the defendant, already convicted in 2017 in Charters for aggravated pimping, did not admit the facts. “I am a Christian, I respect all religions, all beliefs. I went to China and I did not set fire to Buddhist temples,” he defended himself, denying being an arsonist.
According to the firefighters, civil party, the fire mobilized 35 men and 13 vehicles, during more than 30 hours of intervention, for a cost equivalent to more than 11,000 euros. Also a civil party, the City of Poitiers deplored “colossal and irremediable losses”, without being able to provide figures. She requested a postponement of the hearing on civil interests, set by the court for September 2025.
