MULHOUSE, France, Feb 23, (V7N) – A violent stabbing spree in eastern France left one person dead and multiple others injured in what President Emmanuel Macron has labeled an “Islamist terrorist act.” Authorities revealed that the suspect, a 37-year-old man of Algerian origin, had been on a terrorism watchlist and was subject to previous deportation orders.

The attack took place on Saturday in Mulhouse, a city near the German border. Police apprehended the assailant at the scene, and prosecutors later confirmed his identity without disclosing his name.

Local prosecutor Nicolas Heitz stated that the suspect had been flagged on France’s terrorist surveillance system. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, speaking at a local police station, described the attacker as having a “schizophrenic profile” with underlying psychiatric issues.

According to Retailleau, France had attempted to deport the man several times, but Algerian authorities repeatedly refused to accept him.

A Deadly Afternoon Attack

The stabbing spree began around 4 PM (1500 GMT) near a bustling marketplace, where demonstrators had gathered in support of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The victims included a 69-year-old Portuguese man who was fatally wounded, as well as several police officers and parking attendants.

Among the injured, two officers suffered serious wounds—one to the carotid artery and another to the upper body. However, the latter was later discharged from the hospital. Three additional officers sustained minor injuries.

The suspect reportedly shouted "Allahu Akbar" ("God is greatest") multiple times during the attack, according to France’s national anti-terror prosecutors (PNAT). Witnesses at the scene corroborated these claims.

Following the incident, President Macron declared that there was “no doubt” that this was an act of terrorism, specifically an “Islamist terrorist act.” He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to eradicating terrorism and expressed his condolences to the victim’s family, stating that the “solidarity of the nation” was with them.

Terrorism Investigation and Deportation Challenges

French authorities have launched a terrorism-related investigation into the attack, focusing on murder and attempted murder “in connection with a terrorist enterprise,” according to PNAT.

The suspect had been listed in France’s FSPRT database, a national system designed to monitor individuals at risk of radicalization. The watchlist was established in 2015 following a series of deadly attacks, including the assault on the offices of Charlie Hebdo and a Jewish supermarket.

Interior Minister Retailleau disclosed that France had made at least 10 attempts to expel the suspect, but Algeria consistently refused to cooperate.

“Yet again, Islamist terrorism has struck,” Retailleau said in a statement. He also linked migration issues to the attack, arguing that they were part of the broader security challenge.

The Algerian government has not yet issued an official response regarding its refusal to accept the suspect’s deportation.

Ongoing Security Concerns

As the evening progressed, forensic teams continued their investigation at the crime scene, working under floodlights near the Mulhouse market. The area remained heavily secured, with military personnel guarding the perimeter.

French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou condemned the attack, stating that “fanaticism has struck again, and we are in mourning.”

Meanwhile, Mulhouse Mayor Michèle Lutz expressed shock and sorrow, writing on social media that “horror has just descended upon our city.”

A Pattern of Recent Attacks

France has seen a series of knife attacks in recent months, many of which have been classified as acts of terrorism.

In January, a 32-year-old man armed with a knife attacked a shopper in a supermarket in Apt, in southern France. He was later charged with attempted murder linked to a terrorist act.

In December 2023, a man fatally stabbed a German tourist near the Eiffel Tower in another attack authorities deemed terrorism-related.

With this latest incident in Mulhouse, France continues to grapple with the threat of extremist violence amid ongoing debates about national security and immigration policies.

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