Suspect in attack on French synagogue charged with terrorism

Four days after the arson attack on the Beth Yaacov synagogue in southern France, the main suspect, El Hussein K., 33, was charged on Wednesday, August 28, for “terrorist conspiracy,” “attempted assassinations committed due to race or religion in connection to a terrorist organization,” “possession and transport of incendiary products with the intent to harm people” and “violence against police officers, aggravated by the use of a weapon.” He has been placed in pre-trial detention. The investigating judge’s decision is in line with the recommendations of the National Anti-Terrorist Prosecutor’s Office (PNAT), which had announced earlier in the day that it was opening a judicial investigation.

Another man, who was allegedly aware of El Hussein K.’s plans and suspected of being his accomplice, was also charged with “terrorist conspiracy” and jailed. A third person, who had driven El Hussein K. on Saturday, August 24, after his attack, between Le Grau-du-Roi and Nîmes (both in southern France), was indicted for “concealment of a terrorist criminal” and placed under judicial supervision.

The ongoing investigation and police custody hearings of El Hussein K., which began on Monday, have revealed a little more about his background and path to radicalization. Born in Blida, Algeria, he arrived in France via Spain in 2016. He had a child with a French national in 2019, making him legally entitled to a residence permit application. He has no job or income and has been living in an apartment in Nîmes.

Read more: Le Monde (France)