Man Arrested for Violent Incident at Montreuil Mosque After Years Evading Deportation

The accused, 50 years old, has been in an irregular situation in France for 28 years, reports France bleu. He has always escaped extradition operations. His latest refuge is the Islah mosque in Montreuil, which welcomed him in exchange for small handling work.

In his new refuge, he gave small clandestine sermons outside of opening hours, which led to his expulsion from the mosque by the main imam. The man had given firm instructions to the guard not to let him enter the mosque.

Blocked at the entrance by the guard, he injured the security guard with a screwdriver and a cutter before barricading himself in the prayer room. Alerted, the police intervened to arrest him after a few minutes of negotiation.

According to the police, the terrorist track is ruled out. They argue that the attack is rather related to a dispute within the mosque. Placed in police custody, the clandestine imam will have to answer very soon for his act before the competent courts.