The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Paris killer had record of attacking police
Frenchman, 39, who killed officer had note praising IS
The Champs-Elysees gunman who shot and killed a police officer just days before France’s presidential election was detained in February for threatening police but later freed.
Anti-terrorism prosecutor Francois Molins said there was not enough evidence at the time to prove 39-yearold Frenchman Karim Cheurfi was a threat, though he did have a long police record – notably for trying to attack police.
Investigators believe at this stage that Cheurfi was alone in killing police officer Xavier Jugele and injuring two others and a German tourist in Paris on Thursday night, less than 72 hours before the polls open.
Mr Molins said the attacker had a note defending the Islamic State group with him when he opened fire.
The note, which apparently fell from his pocket, praised IS and listed the addresses of security sites.
Police shot and killed Cheurfi – identified from his fingerprints – during the incident, and later found a pumpaction shotgun and knives in his car. IS has said it was behind the attack. Meanwhile, the French government has pulled out all the stops to protect tomorrow’s vote as the attack deepened France’s political divide.
“Nothing must hamper this democratic moment, essential for our country,” Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said after a top-level meeting yesterday.
Meanwhile, the two police officers injured in the attack are said to be out of danger.