A man was arrested early Friday afternoon after an alert launched by the Iranian consulate in Paris, located in the 16th arrondissement. The individual was reportedly seen in the premises “carrying a grenade or an explosive vest”, according to the diplomatic institution.
“According to the first elements, it concerns a man born in 1963 in Iran,” indicated the prosecution, adding that he had left the consulate “of his own accord” and that he “would have uttered threats of violent action”.
A fire attempt in 2023
If checks are still underway to clarify the situation, the first elements reveal the profile of a 60-year-old suspect, Franco-Iranian, born in Tehran. The Paris prosecutor's office confirms to Le Parisien that the suspect is already known to the courts for having attempted to burn down this same consulate in September 2023, using tire residue.
On September 9, a fire broke out in the immediate vicinity of the diplomatic building. The fire was quickly contained, without causing any injuries. The PJ quickly identified a suspect, Nicolas K.-M., residing in Essonne.
Tried in immediate appearance in October for these facts, he was sentenced to eight months' imprisonment with a two-year probationary suspension. A sentence accompanied by a ban on appearing in the 16th arrondissement of Paris and carrying or possessing a weapon for five years. He appealed this decision, adds the Paris prosecutor's office.
A commitment against the Iranian regime
The sixty-year-old recognized the facts and justified his action by his political commitment against the regime of the Islamic Republic of Iran, particularly after the death of Mahsa Amini, who had launched the “Woman, Life, Freedom” revolt movement. “It is not an embassy, but a dictatorial center,” he said at the bar.
According to several articles reporting his trial last October, the man was a former prosthetist and orthotist, born in Tehran. He had participated in several demonstrations in favor of Iranian women's rights.
Friday, according to several testimonies, the man put flags on the ground of the consulate, saying he wanted to avenge the death of his brother.