French President Emmanuel Macron has strongly condemned a deadly attack in the eastern French city of Mulhouse – in which one person was killed and several others wounded – denouncing it as an 'Islamist terrorist act' and has vowed to intensify efforts to eradicate terrorism in France
A man who went on a stabbing rampage in Mulhouse, Alsace on Saturday – killing one and wounding several others – was on a terrorism watchlist and subject to deportation orders.
The knife-wielding suspect is a 37-year-old Algerian-born man identified as Brahim Abdessemed.
President Macron has condemned the incident, unequivocally labelling it an "Islamist terrorist act" and reaffirming the nation's commitment to eradicating terrorism.
Posting on X, Macron expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and the solidarity of the French people.
Witnesses reported that the attacker shouted "Allahu Akbar" – "God is great" – multiple times during the rampage.
He first targeted municipal police officers, inflicting serious injuries on two – one officer sustained a wound to the carotid artery, while another was stabbed in the chest.
Three additional officers suffered minor injuries. A 69-year-old Portuguese national, who intervened to assist the officers, was fatally wounded.
The assailant was apprehended at the scene.
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Assailant's background
Brahim Abdessemed reportedly arrived in France illegally in 2014 and had been under scrutiny by French intelligence services for his radical Islamist views.
In December 2023, he was convicted for "glorifying terrorism" after posting a 15-minute video in which he recited verses from the Koran and called on Muslims to "take up arms and fight the infidels".
He was sentenced to six months in prison and issued an order to leave French territory.
Despite being placed under house arrest, efforts to deport him were unsuccessful due to Algeria's refusal to accept his repatriation.
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau revealed that France had attempted to expel Abdessemed ten times, but each attempt was thwarted by Algeria's non-cooperation.
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Combatting terrorism
In the aftermath of Saturday's attack, President Macron expressed his condolences to the victim's family and emphasised the government's determination to combat terrorism on French soil.
He stated, "Once again, Islamist terrorism has struck, and we are in mourning."
Prime Minister François Bayrou echoed these sentiments, denouncing the act as fanaticism and extending sympathies to the affected families.
The attack has affected the residents of Mulhouse, a city of approximately 110,000 people near the German border.
Mayor Michèle Lutz expressed her shock at the incident, stating: "Horror has just seized our city".
The local community has rallied together, holding vigils and offering support to the victims' families and the injured officers.
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Investigation underway
Meanwhile, Interior Minister Retailleau visited Mulhouse to assess the situation and support local authorities.
France's National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's Office (PNAT) has taken charge of the investigation, focusing on charges of murder and attempted murder in connection with a terrorist enterprise.
Authorities are probing Abdessemed's history, including his radicalisation process and potential connections to extremist networks.
The incident has reignited debates over France's immigration policies and the challenges associated with deporting individuals deemed security threats, especially when their countries of origin refuse repatriation.
It has also sparked discussion on the balance between civil liberties and security measures, as well as the effectiveness of France's counter-terrorism strategies.
