The Paris Eiffel Tower assailant pledged allegiance to ISIS.Previously, in a shocking incident near the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris, a man, known to authorities as a radicalized Islamist, stabbed a tourist to death on Saturday night.
The assailant, identified as Armand Rajabpour-Miyandoab, later fled the scene, shouting "Allahu Akbar" ("God is great"). The attack comes amidst France's heightened security alert level and ongoing tensions related to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Security services had identified Armand Rajabpour-Miyandoab, a French national who was born in 1997 to Iranian parents, as a radicalized person with ties to previous attackers in France.
The 26-year-old had a history of mental health issues and had been under close psychological surveillance. His mother had raised concerns about his behavior in October, but legal action could not be taken at that time.
In an alarming development, it was revealed that Rajabpour-Miyandoab had posted a video on social media swearing allegiance to the Islamic State group.
The video, posted in Arabic, depicted him as an ISIS fighter based in Afghanistan, expressing support for jihadists in various regions.
French police secure access to the Bir-Hakeim bridge after a security incident in Paris, France, on December 3, 2023. The attack occurred around 9:30 p.m., resulting in the death of a 23-year-old German-Filipino tourist who suffered fatal blows from a hammer and knife.
The assailant fled over the Bir Hakeim bridge, attacking two more individuals, a 66-year-old British citizen and a 60-year-old French person, with a hammer. Rajabpour-Miyandoab was eventually stopped, tasered, and taken into custody.
French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, along with ministers, held a security meeting on Sunday. Borne emphasized the commitment to not giving in to terrorism.
Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin urged authorities to have the ability to request compulsory treatment for individuals with mental health issues believed to be radicalized. France remains on high alert due to the persistent threat of radical Islamism.
The attacker's history revealed that he had previously served four years in prison for planning a terror attack. His social media connections served as additional evidence that he was under surveillance.
Rajabpour-Miyandoab had also undergone compulsory psychiatric treatment for mental health issues until April of the current year.
The German tourist's death prompted condolences from German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, while French President Emmanuel Macron expressed solidarity with the victim's family.
The incident highlights ongoing concerns about the intersection of mental health troubles, radicalization, and the persistent threat of terrorism.
France, grappling with a history of Islamist extremist attacks, has faced challenges in dealing with radicalization, particularly among individuals with a history of mental health issues.
The government is currently attempting to pass an Immigration bill that aims to address such concerns, emphasizing the need for strong penal responses.
The incident near the Eiffel Tower serves as a stark reminder of the complex and interconnected challenges posed by terrorism, mental health, and radicalization in contemporary society.
The terror attack near the Eiffel Tower underscores the complex challenges faced by authorities in addressing the intersection of mental health issues and radicalization.
The assailant's history, marked by previous legal oversight and psychiatric treatment, highlights the difficulties in preventing such incidents.
The incident reignites concerns about the persistent threat of terrorism, prompting a renewed call for robust security measures and responses to counter radicalization.
As international leaders express condolences and solidarity, the tragic event near this iconic symbol serves as a somber reminder of the ongoing struggle to maintain public safety in the face of evolving threats.