An act of violence that could have had serious consequences. The prosecutor's office has opened an investigation for attempted murder after Monday's attack on the LGBTI center in Touraine, said Tuesday the prosecutor of the Republic of Tours, Delphine Amacher.
The judicial police, the police station of Tours, as well as the Central Office for the Fight against Crimes against Humanity and Hate Crimes (OCLCH) were co-seized of the investigation, according to the magistrate.
On Monday, an individual had thrown a homemade detonating device, a bottle filled with acid and aluminum, while two employees were present in the LGBTI Touraine center, located in Tours. No one was injured in the attack.
State condemns and supports |
This afternoon in #Tours the LGBTI center was launched by an explosive device. No injuries.
The prefect of #IndreetLoire visited the site, strongly condemns this new act of violence and supports the centre. pic.twitter.com/451wD33h24
— Prefect of Indre-et-Loire (@Prefet37) May 22, 2023
"We still have questions about the intention of the act because there were people in the premises," said the magistrate. "We don't favor any tracks," she added.
Numerous degradations since January
According to the prosecutor's office, it was impossible at this stage to make a link between the damage suffered by the center since January and Monday's attack.
"This is the sixth act. It went up a notch. There was a will to harm and hurt (...) We are worried. We must protect ourselves, "responded for his part Ash Claveau, the administrator of the LGBTI center of Touraine.
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"The forensic confirmed to us that it was a mixture of acid and aluminum. When the two come into contact, it gives an explosive solution. The mixture was not well prepared. If he had been well prepared, it could have caused damage and casualties," he said, adding that the recent attacks would aim to "silence" the association.
"This is the sixth attack, it's starting to do a lot," said Philippe Geiger, deputy mayor of Tours in charge of tranquility.
"It was obviously not excessively dangerous, but it could have hurt someone nonetheless, and, even slightly, it is serious. And then, that's the first, what's behind, we don't know," added the elected official.