Umamah Bakharia | ub@radioislam.co.za

2 min read
25 December 2022 | 09:00 am CAT

A French man who is suspected of killing three people in an attack at a Kurdish cultural center in Paris has been transferred to a psychiatric unit after being arrested.

Photo credit: Capital News

According to prosecutors, the 69-year-old suspect was removed from custody for health reasons on the same day and taken to a police psychiatric facility for evaluation.

On Friday, the suspect opened fire at a cultural center and a nearby hairdressing salon in the city’s 10th district, which is home to several shops and restaurants that has a large Kurdish population.

A source close to the case told the AFP news agency that three others were wounded in the incident which investigators was attributable to a “racist” attack.

The transfer of the suspect was done after Paris prosecutor said a doctor examined the suspect’s health on Saturday afternoon and deemed it “not compatible with the measure of custody”.

Thus the man’s custody was lifted and he was taken to a police psychiatric unit as he awaits an appearance before an investigation judge to continue the probe into the attack.

The 69 year old was being held in custody on suspicion of murder, attempted murder, armed violence and violating weapons legislation.

According to reports, the suspect, who has a history of racist violence, initially targeted the Kurdish cultural center before entering a hairdressing salon in the area where he was arrested.

Police say three wounded people with one was being treated in intensive care in hospital, and two are being treated for serious injuries.

According to the Kurdish Democratic Council in France (CDK-F), the dead included one woman and two men.