The individual responsible for stabbing a French soldier near Gare de l’Est train station in Paris has been admitted to a psychiatric hospital following the attack, as confirmed by French prosecutors. The incident took place just days before the commencement of the 2024 Olympics, prompting heightened security in the city. The soldier sustained a non-life-threatening shoulder blade injury and was promptly hospitalized.
The attacker, identified as 40-year-old Christian Ingondo from Congo, was released from police custody and transferred to a psychiatric facility under police supervision, according to the Paris Public Prosecutor’s office statement. Ongoing investigations are focusing on the attempted murder and delving into the suspect’s background.
In 2018, Ingondo was part of a judicial inquiry related to murder charges, as mentioned in the prosecutor’s statement. Subsequently, in 2020, the charges against him were dismissed by investigating judges who ordered mandatory hospitalization instead. The Sentinelle force, comprised of thousands of troops, was established in response to lethal attacks by Islamic State extremists in 2015 to safeguard significant French locations.
For the Summer Games scheduled from July 26 to August 11, Paris has deployed approximately 30,000 police officers daily, with a peak of 45,000 during the opening ceremony along the Seine river. Additionally, around 18,000 military personnel are contributing to security measures, with many staying in a large camp set up on the outskirts of Paris.
