Police illustration in Lyon.

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E. Frisullo / 20 Minutes

He was found to be "depressed".

A man suspected of knife attack on Wednesday in a police station in Amiens was brought before the prosecution on Friday, announced the public prosecutor who stressed the "non-radicalized" nature of his gesture.

"The prosecution does not open legal proceedings against the defendant who is being prosecuted by means of a delayed appearance," said Alexandre de Bosschère at a press conference, specifying that he had requested his remand in custody before the hearing, scheduled for February 10.

Followed by a psychologist

The respondent, a 44-year-old Algerian who arrived in France in 2005 on a long-stay student visa, had been subject to three obligations to leave French territory but was unknown to the police.

Discovered in possession of an anxiolytic drug, he was described by those around him as depressive and was under the care of a psychologist.

During his police custody, "he explained that he felt desperate, in particular because of his loneliness and the distance from his family who live in Algeria and that he wanted to end his life," reported the prosecutor.

“He would then have decided to attack a police station to force the police to shoot him.

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No crime before

The author, who carried a round-tipped dish knife, also challenged any religious or fanatic dimension to his gesture.

"No element pointing in the direction of any radicalization was discovered in his home and on his phone or revealed by witnesses," he said.

He had lived in Amiens for several years and benefited from social support and hostel accommodation.

"He had not until now been noted by any act of delinquency."

At the end of the investigation, the Amiens prosecutor's office decided to withdraw the intention of homicide.

The criminal qualification retained is violence with a weapon, with premeditation, on a person holding public authority, an offense punishable by seven years of imprisonment.

Miscellaneous

Two individuals indicted for bullet-riddling a man through a door

Miscellaneous

A minor arrested for a series of violent attacks on public transport

  • Picardy

  • Amiens

  • Police officer

  • Aggression

  • Knife

  • Miscellaneous

  • Police station