Suspect Charged with Terrorism in Colombes Police Ramming Attack

"Attempted murder on persons holding public authority, in connection with a terrorist enterprise". These are the facts charged against the 29-year-old Youssef T., who violently rammed several police officers. After his presentation to the investigating judge, the latter ordered the opening of a judicial investigation, informs LCI. The accused is being prosecuted for having violently rammed, on Monday evening, three police officers in Colombes, while he was driving a black BMW. The three had been hospitalized; two had been seriously injured and the third, slightly.

In a press release, the National Anti-Terrorist Prosecutor’s Office (PNAT) indicated that the accused had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State. The press release specifies that Youssef T. explained, in a letter found in his car in addition to the knife, that one must "throw oneself wholeheartedly into the battle to impose sharia throughout the earth". Youssef T. does not regret his gesture, on the contrary. He claims it because he feels a certain pride in it and even regretted not having succeeded in killing the police officers involved, informs LCI. The accused told the investigators that sharia should also be applied in France.

It emerges from the psychiatric assessment carried out on Tuesday that Youssef T. was in full possession of his faculties at the time of the commission of the acts, even if he is psychologically fragile. His lawyer said he wanted to file a complaint for violation of the secrecy of the investigation, the right to the presumption of innocence and the right to respect for private life, because of the dissemination on social networks, of photos of Youssef T. in custody.