Two days after a deadly knife attack in Marseille, four suspects were arrested. They are accused of participating in a terrorist association. There were also several searches. The alleged Islamist perpetrator had killed two 20-year-old women with a knife on Sunday at Marseille station. The 30-year-old Ahmed H. was shot by soldiers. The four detainees were said to have contacted him immediately before fact, as emerged from review of his telephone connections, reported Le Monde.

Ahmed H. Was not known to police as a possible threat, but only because of petty criminal offenses. According to Paris prosecutor's office, perpetrator had been noticed in past under seven different identities. He was arrested two days before attack. However, investigations were discontinued against him due to shoplifting in Lyon. On Saturday he was released, although he had no residence permit. The assailant shouted aloud testimony in Arabic "God is great". Investigators are suspected of terrorism; The militia "Islamic State" claimed deed for itself.

Search for clues in Italy

Interior Minister Gérard Collomb ordered an investigation of case. In particular, it is important to clarify why man was not brought into a deportation facility. Anti-terror prosecutor François Molins had previously stated that local prefecture had not been able to arrange expulsion. The attacker had temporarily lived in Italy, possessed Italian identity papers and resided re regularly, said Collomb to radio station France Inter: "This shows that you have to exchange a lot between countries."

The Public Prosecutor's office in Rome wanted to examine contacts of attackers in Italy, reported news agencies Ansa and ADN Kronos. Investigations are planned against unknown because of possible terrorist links. Both attacker of Marseille and assassin of Berlin Christmas market, Anis Amri, would have lived in city of Aprilia south of Rome at times. However, it is not assumed that re has been a connection between two.

Collomb confirmed anor case with terrorist suspicion: after discovery of several gas bottles in Paris last weekend, several people were arrested. One of suspects was known as radicalized. The bottles had been found in genteel 16th district in and in front of a building, media reported. Thus, re were devices to put containers on fire – gasoline was spilled around m as well.

Parliament agrees with more stringent measures

The French National Assembly approved a controversial anti-terrorism Act on Tuesday, which gives authorities extended powers in long term. MEPs accepted presentation of interior Minister Collomb by a broad majority. This enshrines parts of state of emergency that has been in force for almost two years. The National Assembly agreed to new rules with 415 to 127 votes, re were 19 abstentions.

Collomb spoke of a "sustainable response to a permanent threat" by jihadists like IS. Most of attacks with so far 241 deaths in France go to your account. With amendment, government wants to transfer authorities to permanent rights that y have received under state of emergency. For example, interior Minister or prefect in départements without a judicial order can restrict freedom of movement of suspects or arrange extensive police checks at railway stations or airports.

Some provisions are exacerbated in comparison to state of emergency: in future, authorities will be able to order closure of religious institutions even if "ideas and ories" are disseminated in order to promote terrorism. So far, concrete writings or statements had to be available. Critics in left camp warned against a restriction of civil liberties.

Date Of Update: 04 October 2017, 12:09