A supermarket in Apt (Vaucluse) was the scene of a knife attack this Saturday evening. An armed man, identified as Mehdi B., 32, known to the police, injured a customer by shouting “Allah Akbar” before being neutralized by a security agent.
The National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office (PNAT) quickly took charge of the investigation.
The facts
The attack took place early in the evening in a supermarket in the city according to Actu17. The attacker targeted a customer near the checkouts while brandishing a knife. His screams, associated with religious connotations, immediately caused fear among customers and employees.
A security agent present on site managed to control the individual, thus preventing the situation from degenerating further. The victim, whose identity has not been communicated, was taken care of by emergency services.
A suspect already followed for radicalization
According to available information, Mehdi B. is included in the FSPRT (report processing file for the prevention of terrorist radicalization). This file brings together individuals reported for risks of acting out in connection with extremist ideologies. Already known to the police, the man was taken into police custody immediately after his arrest.
-Le PNAT would get
Faced with the nature of the facts and the profile of the attacker, the National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office (PNAT) took up the case. This support marks recognition of the potential terrorist nature of the attack.
An ongoing investigation
The investigation will notably have to determine the precise motivations of the attacker, his possible connections with extremist networks, as well as the exact circumstances leading to the attack.
Local authorities have not yet released additional details, but police reinforcements could be deployed in the region to secure public places.
