A knife attack in the eastern French city of Mulhouse on Saturday left one civilian dead and five police officers injured, two of them seriously. French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the incident as an “Islamist terror act” and vowed to continue efforts to combat terrorism on French soil.
The suspect, a 37-year-old Algerian national on France’s terror prevention watchlist, was arrested following the attack. According to prosecutors, he first targeted municipal police officers while shouting “Allahu Akbar.” A 69-year-old Portuguese civilian who intervened was fatally wounded.
France’s national anti-terror prosecutors (PNAT) have taken charge of the case, investigating it as murder and attempted murder “in connection with a terrorist enterprise.” Authorities revealed that the suspect had been under judicial supervision and house arrest, with France attempting to deport him 10 times, but Algeria repeatedly refused to accept him.
French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau was set to visit the scene, where a heavy security presence was established following the attack. Military backup and forensic teams were deployed to secure evidence before rain could wash away crucial traces.
Mulhouse Mayor Michèle Lutz described the attack as a horror for the city, while Prime Minister François Bayrou said France was once again in mourning due to fanaticism.