French Prime Minister Accuses Le Pen of Exploiting Paris Attacks

(Baonghean.vn)- On April 21, French Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve accused far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen of trying to exploit the police murder on the Champs Elysees to gain political benefits.

Far-right candidate Marine Le Pen, who advocates tightening immigration policies. Photo: Reuters.

Mr Cazeneuve, a member of the social conservative party, said Ms Le Pen, leader of the National Front (FN) party, “has tried to exploit the terrorist attacks and use it for political purposes and to divide people.”

The French prime minister rejected Le Pen’s call to reintroduce border checks and expel foreigners on intelligence watch lists. Mr Cazeneuve said Le Pen was trying to “shamelessly exploit fear”, and suggested the attack had nothing to do with immigration.

The attack happened just a few hundred metres from the French symbol, the Arc de Triomphe. Photo: AFP

In connection with the investigation, a source familiar with the matter said on April 21 that a handwritten note praising the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group was found near the scene where the attacker opened fire on police officers on the Champs Elysees in central Paris last night. In addition, in addition to the note near the body of the shooter, 39-year-old Frenchman Karim Cheurfi, police also found a copy of the Koran in his car at the scene. Police are currently questioning three people with connections to Karim.

The gunman, who has been identified by French authorities as a terrorist, was arrested in February on suspicion of planning to kill police officers, but was later released due to lack of evidence.

In 2005, he was sentenced to prison for three attempted murders, including two attempts to kill police officers.

Lan Ha

(According to AFP)