Less than six hours after his gesture, the man who had placed an improvised explosive device in the Saint-Etienne cathedral in Toulouse was arrested. The men of the BRI (Research and Intervention Brigade) arrested him in the street in Toulouse at midday without clashes or resistance.

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DIRECT. Explosive device in the Saint-Etienne cathedral in Toulouse: the suspect was arrested

According to the public prosecutor of Toulouse Samuel Vuelta-Simon, questioned by The Midi Dispatch, the suspect is 47 years old. He was already known to the courts. This man would have psychiatric problems, according to our information.

Around 8:30 a.m. this morning, during mass, the man, decked out in a cap and a mask over his face, entered Saint-Etienne cathedral, went to the steps of the altar and deposited there two bags. He spoke words that the audience did not understand before fleeing. A sexton tried to intervene to stop him. He was jostled but he was not hurt. About thirty people attended the service.

“Commercial products”

One of the bags contained hydrochloric acid and aluminum without a firing device. “Products that can easily be found on the market”, points out the public prosecutor of Toulouse. The suspect’s second bag was empty. The deminers were mobilized on the spot.

Once arrested, the man was taken into custody. He will now have to explain his action and his motivations.