The knife attack in Paris on December 2nd, which resulted in one death and two injuries, revealed that the culprit, Armand Rajabpour-Miyandoab, had a troubled history and was well-known to law enforcement.
Rajabpour-Miyandoab is a French national, born in Neuilly-sur-Seine in 1997 to a family of Iranian nationality. He lived with his parents in Essonne up until the time of the attack at the metro station, where he reportedly shouted “Allah Akbar” multiple times. According to the Minister of the Interior Gérald Darmanin, he had a significant online presence and had recently posted a video claiming responsibility for his actions.
This is not the first time Armand Rajabpour-Miyandoab has been on the radar of law enforcement. He had been under surveillance and even arrested in 2016 for planning an attack in La Défense, a business district west of Paris. It was also revealed that he had been in contact with the murderer of Samuel Paty just two weeks before the terrorist attack.
In addition to his radical connections, he also struggled with mental health issues. Despite initially showing signs of detachment from religion after his release from prison in 2020, it was noted that he became unstable and easily influenced by external factors.
The recent events surrounding the conflict in Gaza and Palestine likely contributed to his breakdown. It was reported that he expressed frustration with the situation and blamed the French government for complicity in the actions of Israel. Investigators will also look into his medical treatment and whether or not he received the necessary care and support.
