An investigation has been opened for “arson” or “willful destruction by incendiary means” by the Versailles prosecutor’s office.
A Muslim place of worship was destroyed by fire on the night of Friday to Saturday September 3 in Rambouillet (Yvelines), AFP learned from the police and the prosecution, who favor the criminal track. According to the first elements of the investigation, residents of this “prayer tent“reported seeing around 1:00 a.m.”two people leave the scene quickly with a container (and) then saw the blue flames indicating the presence of hydrocarbons“, specified a police source, which privileges “an intentional fact“.
An investigation has been opened forcriminal fire” Where “willful destruction by incendiary means» by the parquet floor of Versailles, which entrusted the investigations to the PJ of Versailles. No suspect was arrested immediately, according to the Versailles prosecutor’s office, requested by AFP.
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“Solidarity with the Muslims of Rambouillet who saw their place of worship destroyed by fire last night. An investigation is open and will shed light on its origin“, reacted on Twitter the Minister of the Interior Gérald Darmanin.
“A fire broke out last night in our tent and despite the rapid intervention of the firefighters and their efforts, everything caught fire and there is nothing left except the metal structures.“, commented on a Facebook post the association of Muslims of Rambouillet.
“No one was on the spot, the damage is only materialadded the association.
On Twitter, the International League Against Racism and Anti-Semitism (LICRA) for its part expressed its “solidarity with the faithful of the Rambouillet mosqueand declared that she would follow “carefully the results of the investigation opened“and would act”Consequently.»
The prosecution and the Yvelines prefecture were to meet early Saturday afternoon in Rambouillet to discuss the incident, according to a source familiar with the matter.