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Montrouge suspect in same jihadi group as pair linked to Charlie Hebdo attack Montrouge suspect in same jihadi group as pair linked to Charlie Hebdo attack
(3 months later)
The man suspected of killing a policewoman in a shooting in Montrouge, south of Paris, on Thursday was a member of the same jihadist group as the two suspects in the attack on satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo, French media are reporting.The man suspected of killing a policewoman in a shooting in Montrouge, south of Paris, on Thursday was a member of the same jihadist group as the two suspects in the attack on satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo, French media are reporting.
The man, who is believed to be armed and is still on the run, knew Saïd and Chérif Kouachi, the brothers suspected of carrying out the Charlie Hebdo massacre on Wednesday, a police source told Reuters on Friday.The man, who is believed to be armed and is still on the run, knew Saïd and Chérif Kouachi, the brothers suspected of carrying out the Charlie Hebdo massacre on Wednesday, a police source told Reuters on Friday.
The man, wearing a bullet-proof vest and carrying an assault rifle and a handgun, fled from the scene in a Renault Clio after the attack and is still on the run. The shooting took place on Thursday morning in Montrouge, a commune three miles south of Paris.The man, wearing a bullet-proof vest and carrying an assault rifle and a handgun, fled from the scene in a Renault Clio after the attack and is still on the run. The shooting took place on Thursday morning in Montrouge, a commune three miles south of Paris.
Witnesses reported seeing a collision between two cars before two men emerged, at least one armed with an automatic weapon and reportedly wearing a bullet-proof vest. A female traffic officer was killed after being shot in the back and a street sweeper was injured.Witnesses reported seeing a collision between two cars before two men emerged, at least one armed with an automatic weapon and reportedly wearing a bullet-proof vest. A female traffic officer was killed after being shot in the back and a street sweeper was injured.
Two people have been arrested in connection with the Montrouge shooting after an investigation by anti-terrorist authorities and police have identified a suspect. Two arrests were made in the department of Essonne, in the south of the greater Paris region – with those arrested said to have “very close links” to the suspected gunman, according to Le Point.Two people have been arrested in connection with the Montrouge shooting after an investigation by anti-terrorist authorities and police have identified a suspect. Two arrests were made in the department of Essonne, in the south of the greater Paris region – with those arrested said to have “very close links” to the suspected gunman, according to Le Point.
The French interior minister, Bernard Cazeneuve, confirmed on Friday morning that “important elements” had been uncovered about the shooting.The French interior minister, Bernard Cazeneuve, confirmed on Friday morning that “important elements” had been uncovered about the shooting.
According to Reuters, the three men were all members of the same Paris jihadist cell that a decade ago sent young French volunteers to Iraq to fight US forces. Chérif Kouachi served 18 months in prison for his role in the group.According to Reuters, the three men were all members of the same Paris jihadist cell that a decade ago sent young French volunteers to Iraq to fight US forces. Chérif Kouachi served 18 months in prison for his role in the group.
The agency reports that the suspect in the Montrouge attack was sentenced in 2010 for his role in a botched prison breakout of Smain Ali Belkacem, the perpetrator of a 1995 attack on the Paris transport system that killed eight people and wounded 120.The agency reports that the suspect in the Montrouge attack was sentenced in 2010 for his role in a botched prison breakout of Smain Ali Belkacem, the perpetrator of a 1995 attack on the Paris transport system that killed eight people and wounded 120.
Chérif Kouachi was also implicated in that breakout attempt, but his case was dropped.Chérif Kouachi was also implicated in that breakout attempt, but his case was dropped.
The French news agency Agence France-Presse reported that a police source has linked the Montrouge shooting to the Charlie Hebdo massacre.The French news agency Agence France-Presse reported that a police source has linked the Montrouge shooting to the Charlie Hebdo massacre.
#BREAKING Paris policewoman killing linked to massacre brothers: police#BREAKING Paris policewoman killing linked to massacre brothers: police
Le Point is reporting that the Montrouge gunman and the Kouchai brothers were known to each other and were part of the same Jihadist network.Le Point is reporting that the Montrouge gunman and the Kouchai brothers were known to each other and were part of the same Jihadist network.
[INFO @LePoint ] Le tireur de #Montrouge et les frères #Kouachi se connaissent (même filière djihadiste) http://t.co/b5tnWDAJSv [INFO @LePoint ] Le tireur de #Montrouge et les frères #Kouachi se connaissent (même filière djihadiste) http://t.co/b5tnWDAJSv
The French radio station RTL has also linked the two attacks. Citing unnamed sources, it states that the gunman was an associate of the Kouachi brothers and in 2004-05 would have been part of the same “Buttes Charmont” group who organised for radicals to leave and fight in Iraq and Syria.The French radio station RTL has also linked the two attacks. Citing unnamed sources, it states that the gunman was an associate of the Kouachi brothers and in 2004-05 would have been part of the same “Buttes Charmont” group who organised for radicals to leave and fight in Iraq and Syria.
Le Point reported: “It could therefore indicate a reactivation of the network which worked under the leadership of the preacher Farid Benyettou in the rue de Tanger mosque in the 19th arrondisment of Paris. The group was dismantled in 2005 by the inteligence services.”Le Point reported: “It could therefore indicate a reactivation of the network which worked under the leadership of the preacher Farid Benyettou in the rue de Tanger mosque in the 19th arrondisment of Paris. The group was dismantled in 2005 by the inteligence services.”
Authorities believe Farid Benyettou was the leader of the “Nineteenth Arrondissement Iraqi Networks”, so named because certain members travelled from France to fight American forces in Iraq. The Washington Post reports that he worked as a janitor in a mosque in the 19th arrondisment of Paris where he met Chérif Kouachi, now 32.Authorities believe Farid Benyettou was the leader of the “Nineteenth Arrondissement Iraqi Networks”, so named because certain members travelled from France to fight American forces in Iraq. The Washington Post reports that he worked as a janitor in a mosque in the 19th arrondisment of Paris where he met Chérif Kouachi, now 32.