A Portuguese man, aged 69, died this afternoon after purposely putting himself between an Algerian citizen, armed with a knife, and police officers whom he was threatening to attack, in the French town of Mulhouse (close to the border with Germany and Switzerland).
The elderly man suffered multiple stab wounds – and the attacker went on to target various other people, including police officers and a parking attendant.
According to reports, the Algerian shouted “Allahu Akbar” before launching into his barbarity.
Reports stress he was on a terror prevention watchlist, and under an order to leave France after being released from a detention centre in June.
President Macron has said there is no doubt that this was an act of Islamic terrorism – and that France remains focused on trying to eradicate terrorism.
It is unclear at this point whether the slain Portuguese was living permanently in France, or simply visiting. President Marcelo has said he is trying to get the details of the dead man’s family in order to convey the country’s condolences, while prime minister Luís Montenegro has said over social network ‘x’ that the man’s “bravery, which cost him his life, could have saved others. I leave sincere condolences to his family and friends – and all solidarity to the French people”.
The Algerian has been arrested and is being held in preventive custody.
