French authorities have detained four individuals following a deadly stabbing in Mulhouse, eastern France, with prosecutors linking the attack to Islamic extremism. A Portuguese national was killed, and seven police officers sustained injuries during the Saturday assault near the German border. The prime suspect, identified as Brahim A., reportedly shouted Allahu akbarwhile wielding a knife and screwdriver.
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau confirmed the 37-year-old Algerian national had a history of glorifying terrorism and a diagnosed schizophrenic profile.
This was an act of Islamist terrorism,President Emmanuel Macron declared, vowing intensified security measures. The suspect entered France illegally in 2014 and faced prior imprisonment for supporting Hamas' October 2023 attack on Israel.
Key developments include:
- Two family members and a housing provider detained alongside suspect
- Ongoing deportation challenges to Algeria despite criminal convictions
- Special government meeting scheduled Wednesday to address immigration loopholes
Security analysts highlight France's heightened terror risk level, with this attack marking the 13th Islamist-linked incident since 2017. Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot announced plans to review deportation policies for 19 high-risk nations, emphasizing:We cannot allow failed deportations to compromise public safety.
The incident has reignited debates about mental health monitoring and border controls within EU security frameworks. Authorities continue investigating potential accomplices while maintaining maximum vigilance across transport hubs and public spaces.
