The detainee armed with “homemade picks” has just freed one of the five hostages, announced the police headquarters. Four other people are still taken hostage in the central Arlesian house.
Since the end of the morning, at the Arles central prison, an inmate has been holding four medical staff and a prison guard under threat of a homemade bladed weapon. The Raid is activated by the police prefect and the regional intervention and security team (ERIS) is also on site. One of the hostages, a doctor, has just been released, confirms the police headquarters.
This central house with a capacity of 159 places accommodates people serving long sentences. It is not one of the establishments in a situation of overcrowding.
According to AFP, the hostage taker has a “psychiatric profile”. According to franceinfo, the hostage taker is 37 years old, born in Guyana, incarcerated for rape at gunpoint.
“We have mobilized all means to deal with it“
“Five people are held hostage at the Arles central prison, including four healthcare workers and a prison officer“, confirms the Minister of Justice, Gérald Darmanin. “We have mobilized all means to deal with it“, he assures on X.
An outing that does not please the FO Justice union which criticized the new Minister of Justice on Facebook. “As always and faced with such a dramatic situation, FO Justice is waiting for the hostage situation to end before communicating, so as not to compromise the safety of our colleagues. We regret this type of communication which can hinder the smooth running of operations. Our top priority is the safety and prompt rescue of our colleagues. FO Justice gives them its full support.”
The police chief is on site with the public prosecutor.
Photo Michel Montagne
