French prosecutors launched a terrorism investigation after a man wielding a knife and shouting the Arabic phrase "Allahu Akbar" (God is great), tried to force his way in to the Eiffel Tower in Paris on Saturday night, a judicial source said.
The incident at the world-famous tourist landmark was designated a terrorism case because of the suspect's statements to police, in which he said he wanted to attack a soldier, and his apparent radicalisation, the source said.
No one was injured in the incident that occurred around 11.30 p.m. (2130 GMT) on Saturday shortly before closing time, Eiffel Tower operator SETE said in a statement on Sunday.
The man, brandishing a knife, tried to force his way through a security check before being stopped, it said. Police evacuated the tower to carry out a check of the entire site.
A source close to the investigation said the suspect, a French national born in Mauritania in 1998, had been in a psychiatric hospital for several months and was granted permission to leave care from Aug. 4 to Aug. 6.
During police questioning, the man said he had wanted to carry out an attack against a soldier and had been in contact with a member of Islamic State who had encouraged him to act, the source said.
The suspect was convicted last December for defending acts of terrorism and for making death threats, the source said. He was given a four-month suspended sentence.
France has been under state of emergency legislation since November 2015 Islamist attacks in which 130 people were killed in and around Paris. Its interior minister said in a newspaper interview published on Sunday that the threat of militant attacks was "very high".
After pushing his way past a security guard at the entrance to the Eiffel Tower, the man approached soldiers patrolling at the site and, holding a blade, shouted 'Allahu Akbar', the source said.
But he complied when the soldiers told him to put down his weapon and offered no resistance when arrested, the source added.
Security forces have been targeted in several incidents this year, including two on the Champs-Elysees avenue and one outside Notre Dame Cathedral, also renowned tourist sites.
Militant attacks in France led to a drop in visitor numbers last year but activity has recovered in 2017.
The Eiffel Tower had been lit up on Saturday evening in the colours of soccer club Paris St Germain as part of festivities put on by PSG to welcome its world-record signing Neymar.
Reuters
Mon Aug 07 2017
French army paratroopers patrol near the Eiffel Tower in Paris, March 30, 2016 as France has decided to deploy 1,600 additional police officers to bolster security at its borders and on public transport. REUTERS
Yahya Sinwar sah dibunuh Israel - Hamas
Hamas mengesahkan Ketua Biro Politiknya, Yahya Sinwar terbunuh dalam serangan Israel.
Mohd Yusoff dilantik Ketua Polis Kelantan yang baharu
Polis Diraja Malaysia umum pertukaran empat pegawai kanan berkuat kuasa 18 Nov ini.
Bilangan warga asing di Jepun cecah rekod 3.5 juta setakat Jun
Bilangan warga asing yang menetap di Jepun mencapai rekod tertinggi lebih 3.5 juta pada separuh pertama 2024, menurut data kerajaan.
Industri perbankan sifatkan Belanjawan 2025 langkah positif ke arah ekonomi mampan, inklusif
Institusi kewangan sifatkan Belanjawan 2025 langkah positif ke arah mencapai ekonomi inklusif yang mampan di samping mengekalkan tanggungjawab fiskal dan keadilan sosial.
Pembinaan WCE beri manfaat kepada Melaka - Ketua Menteri
Laluan berkenaan bakal menjadi alternatif untuk pengguna ke Melaka selain Lebuhraya Utara-Selatan.
Belanjawan 2025: Komitmen berterusan kerajaan terhadap tanggungjawab fiskal, pertumbuhan seimbang - Khazanah
Khazanah dan syarikat-syarikat portfolionya kekal selaras dengan visi Belanjawan 2025 dan sedia menyokong agenda yang berpandangan jauh.
Belanjawan 2025: Microsoft komited bekerjasama dengan kerajaan untuk pacu inovasi AI
Microsoft komited bekerjasama dengan kerajaan untuk memacu inovasi kecerdasan buatan (AI).
Peruntukan RM65 juta dapat pastikan pekebun kecil peroleh MSPO - Johari
Peruntukan sebanyak RM65 juta menerusi Belanjawan 2025 diharapkan dapat memberi suntikan kepada lebih ramai pekebun kecil untuk mendapatkan Pensijilan Minyak Sawit Mampan Malaysia (MSPO).
Belanjawan 2025: Naik taraf prasarana, rawatan penyakit kritikal & program penjagaan kesihatan
Kementerian kesihatan menerima peruntukan sehingga RM45.3 bilion dengan fokus menaik taraf prasarana, rawatan penyakit kritikal, dan program penjagaan kesihatan.
Belanjawan 2025: Perolehan kapal baharu APMM mampu tingkat keupayaan jaga perairan negara
Pengumuman peruntukan pembelian tiga kapal baharu bagi APMM dalam Belanjawan 2025 dilihat tepat pada masanya.