The presumed perpetrator of the incident that occurred on Thursday, October 19th, turned himself in according to the Paris prosecutor’s office. He was taken to a psychiatric infirmary and his custody will resume upon his release.
The door of the home of an elderly Jewish couple was set on fire on Thursday, October 19th, in the 20th arrondissement of Paris, according to France Bleu Paris. “Gasoline was thrown” on the door, where a mezuzah, a welcome scroll in the Jewish religion written in Hebrew, was located, says Eric Pliez, the mayor of the 20th arrondissement.
The Paris prosecutor’s office confirms to France Bleu Paris that the perpetrator of the incident turned himself in to the authorities. He was placed in custody before being taken to the psychiatric infirmary. An investigation was opened by the Paris prosecutor’s office on Friday, October 20th, for “damages committed due to religion and through dangerous means for individuals.”
On the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Anne Hidalgo “strongly condemns this despicable antisemitic act.” The mayor of the 20th arrondissement also denounces “the unfortunate act of an unbalanced person, but it is indeed an antisemitic act […] and it must be condemned as such.”
Horrified by the deliberate fire set on the entrance door of a Jewish couple in the 20th arrondissement. I strongly condemn this despicable antisemitic act. Paris stands with them.
— Anne Hidalgo (@Anne_Hidalgo) October 21, 2023
