Suspect, 40, arrested over arson of Limoges town hall
A 40-year-old man was arrested at about 06:15 on Tuesday 20 October at Val-d'Issoire by the Bordeaux RAID in the investigation into the criminal arson of Limoges town hall; prosecutor Émilie Abrantes confirmed the arrest and the anti-terrorism sub-directorate has joined the inquiry.
A 40-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the criminal arson of Limoges town hall, which was gutted by fire during Saturday’s cost-of-living protests, French media reported on Tuesday.
The suspect was detained at about 06:15 on Tuesday 20 October at Val-d’Issoire in Haute-Vienne, with the support of the Bordeaux RAID unit, according to TF1 Info. Limoges prosecutor Émilie Abrantes confirmed the arrest to the press but gave no further details; the man is being held in garde à vue (LeJDF).
France’s anti-terrorism sub-directorate (SDAT) has joined the investigation alongside Haute-Vienne police, while the national anti-terror prosecutor’s office is following the case but has not taken it over, franceinfo reported (beNews).
Media outlets, citing a police source, described the suspect as a man from Creuse previously known to police for violence against a person in authority and presented as already flagged with a fiche S; a source close to the case presented him as a far-left activist, according to France Télévisions and franceinfo relays. The man remains presumed innocent — his arrest is not a declaration of guilt (Artia13).
The fire broke out on Saturday 17 October at the historic hôtel de ville — inaugurated in 1883 — as cost-of-living protests swept the city; the building’s bell tower collapsed in the evening (L’Instant).
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