PARIS: A knife attack in Mulhouse, France, left one person dead and three police officers injured. The attacker, a 37-year-old Algerian man, was arrested. Authorities launched a terrorism investigation after he reportedly shouted “Allahu Akbar” during the attack.
Police Targeted
Two police officers sustained serious injuries—one in the neck and the other in the chest. A 69-year-old Portuguese man, who tried to intervene, was fatally stabbed. The suspect was already on a terrorism watch list and had a deportation order against him.
Government Response
President Emmanuel Macron condemned the attack, calling it an “Islamist terrorist act.” He vowed to continue efforts to eliminate terrorism in France. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau visited the scene, stressing the need for stricter deportation policies.
Failed Deportation
Authorities attempted to expel the suspect from France 10 times, but Algeria repeatedly refused to accept him. Retailleau urged changes in deportation policies, demanding a stronger stance on forced expulsions.
Public Reactions
Mulhouse mayor Michele Lutz expressed shock, stating, “Horror has seized our city.” French Prime Minister François Bayrou mourned the victims and wished for the injured officers’ recovery. The attack occurred near a market during a protest supporting the Democratic Republic of Congo.
