- Man apprehended by France police after suicide threat at consulate
- No explosives found; suspect detained for threatening “violent action”
- Previous arson conviction; ongoing inquiry into death threats made
A man has been apprehended by French police after he made a suicide threat at the Iranian consulate in Paris.
French prosecutors stated that no explosives were discovered at the consulate or on the suspect detained there on Friday, following a complaint by the consulate that a man had entered carrying ammunition.
The suspect, who was born in Iran in 1963, was apprehended by police when he voluntarily exited the premises after allegedly threatening “violent action,” according to the Paris prosecutor’s office, which was quoted by the Agence France-Presse (AFP) news agency.
“At this time, no explosive materials have been detected on him, in his vehicle, or within the structure,” according to prosecutors.
A police source told Reuters that the individual was observed entering the consulate at approximately 11:00 GMT while carrying what appeared to be a grenade and explosive vest. The area was cordoned off by the police.
The man was subsequently detained after departing the consulate, according to the police source.
BFM television reported that he had replica munitions.
Multiple witnesses told Le Parisien, which published the information on its website, that the man was seen dragging banners across the consulate floor and claiming vengeance for his brother’s death.
According to the prosecutor’s office, the identical suspect was found guilty the previous year for torching the entrances of the Iranian embassy as a demonstration against the Iranian government.
In connection with that incident, the man was scheduled to appear in court on Monday, the prosecutor’s office told AFP.
He was previously sentenced to eight months of suspended imprisonment and a two-year prohibition on carrying weapons and entering the vicinity of the consulate by a lower court. However, he is currently appealing the verdict.
Placed in detention
Although located in the same structure, the Iranian embassy and consulate in the French capital are accessible via separate avenues via two distinct entrances.
As of this moment, the prosecutor’s office has initiated an inquiry into the death threats levied against the suspect.
It was stated that investigators were investigating the motive.
According to reports, the individual departed Iran following the Islamic Revolution of 1979 and has since conveyed his support for the deposed monarchy of Iran.
Iranian authorities refrained from issuing a public statement regarding the incident.
Despite the heightened tensions in the Middle East at the time of the incident, no correlation was suggested.
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Explosions reverberated throughout the Iranian metropolis of Isfahan earlier on Friday, in what sources identified as an Israeli assault. It appeared that Tehran’s denial of the incident and lack of retaliatory intentions were an attempt to prevent a regional conflict.
In the interim, as tensions escalate in the region, the United Nations and nations from across the globe have issued calls for de-escalation.
The United States embassy in Paris issued a warning to citizens to refrain from entering the vicinity of the Iranian embassy, by recommendations made by the French authorities.
According to an on-site correspondent for AFP, the entire 16th arrondissement neighborhood surrounding the consulate was cordoned off and a significant police presence was present.
RATP, a Paris-based transport corporation, announced via the social media platform X that two metro lines passing through stops near the consulate had suspended traffic.
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