Blood tests have revealed that the gunman who launched an attempted attack at Paris Orly airport on Saturday was under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
French national Ziyed Ben Belgacem, 39, had an alcohol level of 0.93 grams per litre in his blood, twice the legal limit for driving in France, along with traces of cannabis and cocaine, Paris prosecutor Francois Molins said. Cocaine was also found during a police search of Belgacem's home.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Belgacem's father told Europe 1 radio: "My son was never a terrorist. He never attended prayer. He drank. But under the effects of alcohol and cannabis, this is where one ends up."
Belgacem was shot dead on Saturday after holding a pellet gun to a soldier at the airport and reportedly shouting: "I am here to die in the name of Allah... There will be deaths".
A copy of the Koran, matches and a container of petrol were found in a backpack he was carrying.He had also injured a policewoman earlier that morning, shooting her in the face with an air pistol after being stopped for speeding north of Paris.
He abandoned the car, hijacked another vehicle at gunpoint and drove to the airport.
His father revealed he had called and said: "I ask for your forgiveness. I've screwed up with a gendarme [police officer]."
Around 3,000 people were evacuated from Orly airport following Saturday's incident.
Visiting the scene, President Francois Hollande said: "I wish to salute the exceptional courage and the conduct of the security forces who made sure the individual was not able to do harm."
Belgacem's attack took place as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge carried out a two-day official visit of Paris, where they met survivors of the 2015 attacks.
-
Political cartoons for December 14Cartoons Sunday's political cartoons include a new White House flag, Venezuela negotiations, and more
-
Heavenly spectacle in the wilds of CanadaThe Week Recommends ‘Mind-bending’ outpost for spotting animals – and the northern lights
-
Facial recognition: a revolution in policingTalking Point All 43 police forces in England and Wales are set to be granted access, with those against calling for increasing safeguards on the technology
-
Normalising relations with the Taliban in AfghanistanThe Explainer The regime is coming in from the diplomatic cold, as countries lose hope of armed opposition and seek cooperation on counterterrorism, counter-narcotics and deportation of immigrants
-
Femicide: Italy’s newest crimeThe Explainer Landmark law to criminalise murder of a woman as an ‘act of hatred’ or ‘subjugation’ but critics say Italy is still deeply patriarchal
-
Brazil’s Bolsonaro behind bars after appeals run outSpeed Read He will serve 27 years in prison
-
Americans traveling abroad face renewed criticism in the Trump eraThe Explainer Some of Trump’s behavior has Americans being questioned
-
Nigeria confused by Trump invasion threatSpeed Read Trump has claimed the country is persecuting Christians
-
The Louvre’s security measures are in hot water after a major heistIn the Spotlight Millions of dollars in jewels were stolen from the museum
-
France’s ‘red hands’ trial highlights alleged Russian disruption operationsUNDER THE RADAR Attacks on religious and cultural institutions around France have authorities worried about Moscow’s effort to sow chaos in one of Europe’s political centers
-
Sanae Takaichi: Japan’s Iron Lady set to be the country’s first woman prime ministerIn the Spotlight Takaichi is a member of Japan’s conservative, nationalist Liberal Democratic Party
