In Paris, near the famous Arc de Triomphe, a man armed with a knife attacked a police officer on Friday, and another police officer fatally shot the attacker, authorities reported, according to LETA citing DPA.
The anti-terrorism prosecutor's office has taken over the investigation and is examining a possible terrorist motive and links to a terrorist organization, law enforcement officials stated.
French President Emmanuel Macron described the incident on the platform 'X' as an Islamist attack.
The police officer who was attacked was not injured, prosecutors reported.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez stated that the attack occurred during a ceremony to light the memorial flame at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
For reasons that are still unknown, the attacker attempted to strike a participant in the gendarmerie's marching band. Another gendarme, following instructions, used his weapon against the attacker, the minister said.
Prosecutors reported that the attacker used a knife and scissors.
The attacker is a 47-year-old French citizen, a resident of the Seine-Saint-Denis department located north of Paris.
In 2013, he was convicted in Brussels for attempted murder of police officers. He was later transferred to France and released from prison at the end of December, but remained under judicial supervision.
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