The 31-year-old Syrian refugee who attacked people on a children’s playground in a park in Annecy, France on Thursday has been officially charged with attempted murder. A psychiatrist and police officers have not yet been able to persuade Abdalmasih H. to say anything, French media report. He also remained silent before the investigating judge today. The man’s motive is unknown, but nothing seems to point to terrorism for now, according to Attorney Line Bonnet-Mathi of the Public Prosecutor’s Office. He will remain in jail for now.
The man seriously injured six people with a knife, including four small children, including a 22-month-old Dutch child. That was quickly flown to a hospital in Geneva on Thursday. Two children and an adult were critically injured, but the condition of all injured is now stable. Attorney Line Bonnet-Mathi has confirmed this.
LOOK. Images show attacker walking around with knife in hand after the facts
The assailant is also charged with rebellion during his arrest, with the aggravating circumstance that he was carrying a weapon. He was taken to the investigating magistrates in a black police car and had to be carried by officers because he was uncooperative.
According to the prosecutor, he was not under the influence of narcotics or alcohol when he was arrested. That has indicated blood tests. A psychiatrist who examined the man, in turn, stated that there are no clear indications that the man suffers from delusions.
When committing the crimes, the Syrian was armed with a “foldable knife”, carried a cross and carried two Christian images, Bonnet-Mathis said.
Refugee
He was recognized as a refugee in Sweden about ten years ago and was married to a Swedish woman. He does not have Swedish nationality. He is now divorced and last year tried to obtain refugee status in France, but that was rejected at the beginning of this month, according to French media.
The man was often seen for two months before the attack in the park on Lake Annecy, in the center of the city of the same name.
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