30 June,2017 09:51 AM IST | Paris | IANS
A man drove into a crowd in Paris in an attemp to avenge the Bataclan and the Champs-Elysees, referring to terror attacks that occurred there, he was subsequently arrested and charged
A damaged wall outside a mosque in the Paris suburb of Creteil is seen June 29, 2017 after a man tried to drive a car into a crowd in front of the Islamic religious facility. Pic/AFP
A self appointed avenger (of sorts) was arrested on Friday, as he attempted to drive his car into a crowded mosque. The Creteil mosque in Paris was under attack by the man driving a 4x4 and he was subsequently held, as per a statement from the police.
"The suspect was driving a 4x4 and reportedly repeatedly struck the blocks and gates protecting the mosque," Xinhua news agency quoted the police as saying. No injuries were reported. Unable to pass the obstacles, the police said the driver continued his race, hit a platform and then fled. He was arrested "without incident" at his home.
According to several local media reports, the man said he wanted to "avenge the Bataclan and the Champs-Elysees", referring to terror attacks that occurred there. Police Chief Michel Delpuech said he would do everything possible to ensure the investigation led to clarity surrounding the motivations of the perpetrator and to determine his criminal responsibility.
