22-year-old arrested in connection with stabbing of French soldier

The Interior Ministry has announced that a 22 year old has been arrested in connection with an attack carried out at the weekend that resulted in the stabbing of a French soldier.

The man was arrested after a search lasting three days was carried out by anti- terrorist police. He was found west of Paris in Verriere.

The French soldier has been identified as Cedric Cordiez. He was murdered when the attacker came at him from behind and slashed his throat.

The attack took place in the business district of La Defense, where Cordiez was taking part in a group patrol at a busy shopping mall where train lines coincide.

Although the attack occurred just days after the Woolwich attack on a British soldier, French law enforcement agencies have encouraged against linking the two attacks. Manuel Valls, The interior Minister, told the iTele network that, until more was discovered about the attacker, there is no confirmation of a link between the suspect and the Woolwich murder, saying: “We have to learn more about his motivations, his record, his background”

Valls did add that there were indications that the suspect was linked to radical Islam but this has yet to be confirmed. He stated: “Members of the military know they have to be on guard”.    

Molly Kersey