The man, identified as a 60-year-old Frenchman of Iranian descent, entered the Iranian consulate in Paris with what seemed to be a grenade and an explosive vest. After a lengthy standoff, he surrendered to authorities.
The suspect had previously started fires near the same consulate last year. Despite his threats of blowing himself up, it was later discovered that his explosive devices were fake. The man was arrested and taken into custody by the police.
The incident prompted a strong response from law enforcement, with tactical units surrounding the consulate and nearby streets being closed off.
The suspect had a history of causing trouble near the consulate, having been arrested last September for setting fire to tires outside the building.
He was given a suspended sentence and prohibited from carrying weapons or entering the area where the consulate is situated. In court last year, he described himself as an “idealistic” opponent of the Iranian government and showed support for protests in Iran following the death of a young woman in police custody in 2022.
