The delicate criminal characterization of the behavior of the Afghan arrested in Lyon with a long knife

A few hours after the attack on Notre-Dame basilica in Nice which left three dead on October 29, a man of Afghan nationality was arrested near Perrache station in Lyon, in possession of a knife of 30 centimeters. Since then, the judicial investigation has gathered elements suggesting a “Recent radicalization”, and one “Possible passage to the act”, according to the terms of a summary report to which The world had access, without however managing to define with certainty the behavior of the individual, who categorically denies any terrorist intention, and which the lawyer disputes “Hasty interpretations”.

The scene, which took place in the middle of the street, gave the impression of a new terrorist act. A month and a half later, this case recalls the difficulty of characterizing criminal behavior with blurred outlines. “We do not know at all what he had in the head”, admits a judicial source close to the case. A psychiatric expertise must be given to judge Draguicha Rakic ​​before the end of the year. Parwez M.-J. was indicted and imprisoned for “Aggravated violence” and “Carrying a weapon prohibited”. He faces a three-year prison sentence, a fine of 45,000 euros, and a maximum period of pre-trial detention of four months.

Thursday, October 29, this 26-year-old man crosses Place Carnot on foot, in the direction of Perrache station, in the 2^e district of Lyon. Two passers-by notice a long knife in his hand. “Everyone had in mind the attack which had just occurred in Nice that very morning, when I saw it, I was very worried, my gaze was focused on the weapon”, confides to World one of the two witnesses, who prefers to remain anonymous. The passer-by follows the individual by dialing 17. A police crew stops Parwez M.-J. around 11:30 am, near the tram station, in possession of a kitchen knife with a 30-centimeter blade. Contrary to the information disseminated in the following minutes, the individual is not wearing a “Military fatigues”, nor a « djellaba », and did not « brandi » the knife. According to testimony and CCTV footage, he holds the knife alongside his body, or under his coat. And he is dressed in a « parka beige » on a ” traditional dress “, according to the summary report.

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