In France, a knife attack on young children caused horror. The perpetrator was apparently a Syrian refugee. According to eyewitnesses, the 31-year-old man attacked children at a playground in Annecy, in the French Alps. Four children were injured, as were two retirees. French President Emmanuel Macron spoke of an act of “absolute cowardice”.
A local police spokesman said the alleged perpetrator was a 31-year-old asylum seeker who, in addition to his Syrian passport, carried Swedish documents and a Swedish driving license. He came to France legally and was not known to the security authorities. A person close to the investigation said his motives were unclear. Anti-terrorist authorities have yet to be asked to take over the investigation. Prosecutors are investigating attempted murder.
French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said the attacker had been arrested. Darmanin and Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne wanted to get an overview on the ground. The crime took place mid-morning at a playground in Le Paquier park, next to the city’s lake, which is popular with tourists, tends to be very peaceful and offers panoramic views of the Alps. Annecy is considered the pearl of the French Alps and is best known as a ski resort.
According to police, two of the children are at risk of life, as well as an adult. Two other children were less seriously injured. The injured children are between 22 months and three years old, the pensioners are between 70 and 78 years old. British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said one of the injured children was British. According to local prosecutors, another child is Dutch.
“The nation is in shock,” Macron tweeted. French National Assembly President Yael Braun-Pivet said there was nothing more heinous than attacking children. According to prosecutors, the Syrian was shot by the police when he was arrested and then subdued. He is being investigated for attempted murder. Videos taken by eyewitnesses show a bearded man wearing sunglasses storming the park armed with a knife. (apa/dpa/Portal)