French Prosecutor Francois Molins said Tuesday that one of two extremists who attacked a church in a Normandy town, and slit a priest's throat, was 19-year-old Adel Kermiche. Later on the same day, the Daesh terrorist organization claimed the attack.
Kermiche was known to security services, having twice been arrested on his way to Syria, and was under house arrest and wearing an electronic monitoring bracelet at the time of the attack.
Molins said Kermiche and an unknown accomplice, armed with knives, had stormed the church in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray, taking hostage the 86-year-old priest, three nuns and two worshippers.
One of the nuns managed to escape and call police, who, upon arrival, tried to negotiate with the hostage-takers through a small door.
Molins said police were unable to launch an assult on the church as three hostages were lined up in front of the door.
Two nuns and one worshipper then exited the church followed by the two attackers, one carrying a handgun.
Both attackers had on them a "fake explosive device covered in aluminium foil".
The priest was found dead with his throat slit, and an 86-year-old worshipper had severe knife wounds, said Molins.
Please click to read our informative text prepared pursuant to the Law on the Protection of Personal Data No. 6698 and to get information about the cookies used on our website in accordance with the relevant legislation.
6698 sayılı Kişisel Verilerin Korunması Kanunu uyarınca hazırlanmış aydınlatma metnimizi okumak ve sitemizde ilgili mevzuata uygun olarak kullanılan çerezlerle ilgili bilgi almak için lütfen tıklayınız.