Man accused of Eiffel Tower stabbing charged with terror offences

Armand Rajabpour-Miyandoab (right) is accused of killing a German-Filipino tourist only identified as Collin (inset) (Picture: PA)

A man accused of fatally stabbing a tourist and injuring two others, including a Brit, close to the Eiffel Tower has been charged with terror offences.

Armand Rajabpour-Miyandoab has been placed under investigation by French police on charges of murder and attempted murder in connection with a terrorist organisation, the country’s prosecutor’s office said.

Rajabpour-Miyandoab, 26, is accused of killing a German-Filipino tourist at a bridge near the Eiffel Tower in France’s capital on Saturday. A British man and a French man were also injured in the attack.

He was under surveillance for suspected Islamic radicalisation at the time, and had been convicted and served prison time for a planned attack that never took place.

He recorded a video before the attack in which he swore allegiance to the so-called Islamic State group and expressed support for Islamic extremists in other countries, anti-terrorism prosecutor Jean-Francois Ricard said.

The victim of the attack has been identified only with his first name, Collin

Under French law, preliminary charges precede any indictment, which comes after an investigation and would send the suspect to trial. Charges also can be dropped.

Rajabpour-Miyandoab has been placed in isolation by a judge’s order.

The stabbing has drawn concern from French authorities less than a year before the 2024 Paris Olympics. Its opening ceremony is planned to take place along the River Seine.

It has also raised questions about how people convicted of terrorism-linked crimes can move about freely after serving their sentences.

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