IS Suspect Rams French Cops In Street To Die As Martyr

Story By: Ernest Bio BogoreSub-EditorJoseph Golder, Agency:  Newsflash

Newsflash/@Dz__Power92

This is the moment two French cops lie on the ground in a pool of blood after an IS suspect rammed into them with a car because he wanted to “die a martyr’s death”.

The incident took place on 27th April in the commune of Colombes in the north-western suburbs of Paris and the video of the injured police officers has been viewed 415,000 times on Twitter.

According to local media, the municipal police officers tried to stop a scooter rider on the street who evaded arrest and ended up abandoning his vehicle before stealing a car at the intersection of Avenue de Valmy and Avenue Clementine.

At this point, the passing Islamic State (IS) suspect reportedly rammed the police officers in the road with his BMW before careering into a patrol car.

According to reports, the detained 29-year-old suspect, identified as Youssef T., said that he deliberately caused the accident because he wanted to “die a martyr’s death”.

Youssef reportedly told the police that he wanted to carry out a violent act after watching videos about Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and he mentioned IS.

He also said that he had pledged allegiance to the terrorist group.

A one-page handwritten letter in which Youssef T. explains his actions and suggests that he intended to die a martyr’s death was found in his car along with a knife, according to local media.

The National Anti-Terrorist Prosecutor’s Office (Pnat) is investigating the incident and the suspect remains in police custody.

One of the injured cops, named Benjamin F., suffered serious head trauma and multiple fractures and was hospitalised at the Hospital Beaujon AP-HP.

His colleague, Antoine D., was taken to the HIA Percy in Clamart near Paris with injuries to his legs and pelvis.

They were both reported as being out of danger on Monday evening.

Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said: “My thoughts are with our two injured policemen, who served to protect us.

“Well done to the municipal police officers who came to their aid and arrested the accused.”

The suspect’s neighbours described him as “easygoing, kind and helpful” who did not mix with the youths who mingle outside the building every night.

One resident named Audra told local media: “One thing is certain, Youssef had no visible signs of being radicalised. Also, he was never seen in the payer room next to the building.

Local media said that the alleged Islamic extremist had been sentenced to carry out community service in 2010 for violent acts committed two years previously.

The investigation is ongoing.

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