Louvre terrorist sent suspicious payments to Polish account: report
PR dla Zagranicy
Roberto Galea
08.02.2017 17:49
The Egyptian man who was arrested on suspicion of terrorism at the Louvre museum in Paris had made two separate wire transfers to a compatriot in Poland, the Le Figaro daily reports.
The Louvre museum in Paris. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
In a report published on Wednesday, Le Figaro said that following his arrival in France, the suspect, identified as Abdullah Reda al-Hamahmy, made two separate money transfers via Western Union to a compatriot based in Poland.
The second Egyptian man, who has been identified by police, was reported to have received a total of EUR 5,000 on 31 January and 1 February. It is unclear whether the money was related to terrorist activities.
On Friday the 29-year-old Egyptian national allegedly brandished a machete and shouted “Allahu Akbar” at a shopping mall that is part of the Louvre complex. He injured a soldier on site and was shot several times.
French President Francois Hollande called the incident a terrorist attack.
Al-Hamahmy was hospitalised following the attack and initially refused to collaborate with officials, but Reuters reported that on Tuesday he told investigators his version of the events.
He reportedly said that he wanted to damage the paintings in the world-famous museum, and “avenge the Syrian people”, Reuters said, adding that he was carrying spray paint in his backpack.
The recent incident was the latest in a string of terrorist attacks in France over recent years, which led to the deaths of hundreds of people by Islamist terrorists. (rg)