The infamous Eiffel Tower in Paris was the scene of a horrifying knife attack on Saturday, December 2, 2023, that led to the death of one individual and serious injuries to two others. The suspect, Armand Rajabpour-Miyandoab, a 26-year-old French citizen of Iranian descent, was taken into custody shortly after the incident. The alarming words “Allahu Akbar” were allegedly yelled by Rajabpour-Miyandoab during the attack, a phrase often linked with jihadist-motivated violence.
In a shocking development, the suspect claimed responsibility for his actions in a video uploaded on the internet, triggering worries about the attack’s possible connections to extreme ideologies. This video, distributed across numerous digital platforms, is a disturbing testament to the suspect’s stated intentions. The incident has reignited debates about security protocols and the ongoing threat of terrorism in public locations.
Armand Rajabpour-Miyandoab had been under close monitoring since 2021 due to his active participation in an Islamic State-supporting group on social media. The French authorities identified him as a radical Islamist with a history of mental health problems. Before the recent attack, Rajabpour-Miyandoab had a criminal past, including convictions for drug trafficking and theft.
In a chilling development, he pledged allegiance to the Islamic State in a video posted on Facebook shortly before the attack. He also declared his intention to “avenge the Prophet Muhammad” and “punish the infidels.” In response to successful attacks in France, such as the Charlie Hebdo shooting in 2015 and the Nice truck attack in 2016, Rajabpour-Miyandoab’s video was promptly removed by Facebook. However, the content was spread by jihadist accounts on platforms like Telegram before its removal.
The French anti-terrorism prosecutor’s office has initiated an investigation, categorizing the attack as a “terrorist plot.” This case highlights the intricate correlation between radicalisation, mental health issues, and criminal past, highlighting the ongoing struggle for authorities in preventing and responding to such threats.
The attack occurred at approximately 11:30 a.m. local time on Saturday near Paris’s renowned Champ de Mars park, just a short distance from the Eiffel Tower. The attacker targeted pedestrians indiscriminately, armed with a knife and a hammer. The cruel act resulted in the death of a 45-year-old German tourist who was holidaying in Paris with his wife and two children. A 32-year-old French woman and a 28-year-old French man also sustained serious injuries and are currently hospitalised.
Police officers who were patrolling the area responded swiftly. During the arrest, the attacker resisted and injured one of the officers with his knife. He was eventually subdued by the authorities and is currently in custody. The attack’s impact has been felt globally, causing shock and sadness.
French President Emmanuel Macron labeled the act as a “cowardly act of barbarism” and expressed solidarity with the victims and their families. German Chancellor Angela Merkel echoed these sentiments, offering her condolences and expressing her horror at the tragic incident. This incident highlights the ongoing struggle authorities face in guaranteeing public safety and tackling violent acts in public spaces.
