#EU #France – A 35-year-old man was arrested inside Saint-Rémi Church in the eastern French town of Forbach on Tuesday after he entered the building while shouting “Allah Akbar” and appearing to search for the parish priest.
The incident occurred around midday on September 8th. According to Prosecutor Olivier Glady of Sarreguemines, police were alerted by the parents of two 14-year-old girls who attended a nearby middle school. The girls had heard the man repeatedly shouting the phrase while he looked for the priest, who was not in the church at the time.
Officers quickly arrived and took the man into custody inside the church. He was carrying an Opinel-style pocketknife that authorities said he never displayed or brandished. Officers also found a small quantity of cannabis resin. Some reports indicated he had three SIM cards as well.
The man, born in 1991 in the former Yugoslavia, held a valid French residence permit and lived with his mother in the neighboring town of Stiring-Wendel. He was not listed on France’s “fiche S” security watch list and was unknown to territorial intelligence services. His criminal record contained two earlier entries unrelated to terrorism or threats against the state.
Authorities placed him in custody on charges of apology of terrorism, illegal possession of a weapon, and drug use. Investigators later searched his mother’s home and seized a cellphone and laptop for examination. They said they were continuing to examine his religious background and psychiatric profile.
The parish priest, Archpriest Laurent Pidolle, told reporters he did not know the man and that no assault, violence, or damage occurred inside the church.
Forbach Mayor Alexandre Cassaro condemned the episode as a “cowardly and odious act” that could have had tragic consequences. He praised the teenagers who raised the alarm and the rapid response by police.
The incident took place weeks before Pope Leo XIV’s planned visit to nearby Metz on September 28th. No further details on a possible motive were immediately released.
Cover Image: Saint-Remi Church in Forbach, France.
