The main suspect of the chopper attack Friday in Paris, in front of the former premises of Charlie Hebdo, admitted to being called “Zaheer Hassan Mahmoud” and not Hassan Ali. He also confirmed to be 25 years old and not 18, announced this Tuesday Jean-François Ricard, the anti-terrorism prosecutor, at a press conference, while doubts existed on his real identity. Faced with a Pakistani document found in his phone, “he finally recognized that it was his real identity and that he was 25 years old,” Jean-François Ricard said at a press conference.
The head of the national anti-terrorism prosecutor’s office (PNAT) also set about describing the course of the accused. He was born in Pakistan in January 1995. He left his native country in March 2018 and arrived in France a few months later, after having crossed Iran, Turkey from where he arrived in Europe, via the ‘Italy.
Presenting himself in France as a minor, he is taken care of in the Val-d’Oise as an unaccompanied minor. He was followed by the Social Assistance for Children of this department of the Paris region, as well as by a judge from Pontoise.
“He did not hold any residence permit, said the anti-terrorism prosecutor. However, he had an appointment on the day of the attack at the prefecture of Val-d’Oise.” The magistrate also added that Zaheer Hassan Mahmoud was unknown to the intelligence and justice services, under his different identities. He was the subject of a reminder of the law last June for carrying a prohibited weapon.
At least three spotting before the attack
According to Jean-François Ricard and the statements of the suspect in custody, Zaheer Hassan Mahmoud would have planned to burn down the premises of the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo (in reality the former premises located in the 11th arrondissement of Paris, the editorial staff having moved following the attack of January 9, 2015). He wanted to attack the weekly because he was “angry” at the publication and republication of the cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad.
The suspect carried out locations on September 18, 22 and 24, said the anti-terrorism prosecution. On the morning of the day he took action, he obtained, in a store in Saint-Denis (Seine-Saint-Denis), the chopper used during the attack, a hammer and bottles of White. spirit. It was when he arrived at rue Nicolas-Appert that he decided to attack passers-by, thinking they were Charlie Hebdo journalists. The attack on Friday left two injured, one of whom is still in “very serious” condition.
Custody lifted
His custody was lifted on Tuesday noon, at the end of the 96 hours provided for in the context of investigations for terrorism. He must be presented to an investigating judge in the afternoon, as part of the judicial investigation opened for “attempted terrorist assassinations” and “terrorist criminal association”. The prosecution requested his detention.
In addition, the last five people of the entourage who had been placed in police custody at the end of last week were all released Tuesday without charges brought against them at this stage.
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