Paris airport assailant’s family in custody
PARIS, France (Xinhua) — The father and brother of the assailant who was shot dead after trying to seize a weapon from a soldier at Paris-Orly Airport Saturday morning have been placed in custody, according to a judicial source cited by local media.
These are “classical” measures in this type of case, according to the same source.
French Interior Minister Bruno Le Roux confirmed earlier that the assailant was known to the police and intelligence services.
At about 8:30 am local time (0730 GMT), the man was trying to seize a weapon from a soldier of Sentinelle operation at the Orly south terminal, but he didn’t succeed and was neutralised, according to Le Roux.
It is believed that at about 6:55 am (0555 GMT) Saturday, the man had shot at three police agents when they were trying to check his car near Stains, north of the Paris region, before fleeing. He was seen later at Vitry-sur-Seine in the south-eastern suburbs of Paris.
The man assaulted one of the Sentinelle soldiers, added Defence Minister Jean-Yve le Drian.
About 3,000 passengers were evacuated from Orly south terminal. No explosive was found during the clearance operation.
Anti-terrorist prosecutors have been taking charge of the investigation.