In a significant development following the attack on a synagogue in southern France, two suspects have been charged and remain in custody, according to the Paris anti-terrorism prosecutors.
The charges were announced late Wednesday by France’s National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office (PNAT).
The incident, which occurred on Saturday morning near the seaside resort of La Grande Motte, involved the deliberate arson of two cars in a car park beneath the Beth Yaacov synagogue.
The explosion from the fire, which happened just 30 minutes before the synagogue’s Saturday service, resulted in injuries to a police officer present at the scene.
The primary suspect, a 33-year-old Algerian identified only as “EHK,” has been charged with attempted terrorist murder with racial or religious motivations and criminal terrorism association.
Despite being a legal resident of France, EHK was previously unknown to the authorities. The PNAT stated that EHK had been radicalized over several months and harbored deep-seated animosity towards Jews, particularly regarding the situation in Palestine.
According to the PNAT, EHK confessed to the charges during his initial hearing. He claimed that his actions were intended to support the Palestinian cause rather than to cause fatalities.
However, he admitted that his goal was to incite fear rather than directly kill anyone. The prosecutor’s office has described EHK’s actions as part of a broader, ideologically driven plot.
A second individual, alleged to be part of EHK’s network, has also been charged with association with criminal terrorism. The prosecutor’s office indicated that this man had been involved in EHK’s plans and shared his extremist views.
A third individual has been charged with assisting the main suspect by transporting him. This man has been placed under judicial supervision while the investigation continues.
CCTV footage from the area reveals a suspect draped in a Palestinian flag and with his face uncovered, setting fires around the synagogue.
The footage shows that the suspect did not attempt to enter the building but ignited fires at various points around the perimeter while five people, including the rabbi, were inside.
After the arson, the suspect fled on foot and was later apprehended in Nimes, approximately 50 kilometers (31 miles) away from the scene.
The investigation is ongoing, and the case has been elevated to a judicial inquiry. The attack has raised significant concerns about the rise of anti-Semitic violence and the potential for further extremist actions.
The French authorities are keen to ensure that all those involved are brought to justice and that steps are taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.
