Identity Of Louvre Attacker Confirmed

(@FahadShabbir)

Identity of Louvre attacker confirmed

PARIS, Feb 8, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 08th Feb, 2017 ) - French investigators on Wednesday confirmed the suspect in last week's machete attack outside the Louvre Museum in Paris was a 29-year-old Egyptian, a source close to the probe said.

The man, Abdallah El-Hamahmy, had already been tentatively identified through phone and visa records that matched the name he gave to police. "Following checks, there is no longer any doubt as to his identity," the source said.

A judicial source said Tuesday that Hamahmy would likely be charged once medical staff say he is well enough to appear before a judge.

Hamahmy has told investigators he did not intend to attack soldiers but instead wanted to stage a more symbolic attack against France by defacing artworks at the Louvre with spray paint that was found in his backpack.

He entered France legally on January 26 on a flight from Dubai, where he is a resident, and was staying in an apartment rented by the week in an expensive Paris district near the Champs-Elysees, sources close to the investigation said.