the National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office opens an investigation after the explosion of a service car before departure

The terrorist trail is confirmed. The National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office (Pnat) announced on Monday January 4 that it had opened an investigation into the head of “attempted assassinations in connection with a terrorist enterprise” after the explosion on December 30 in Jeddah, a few days before the start of the Dakar 2022. The investigations were entrusted to the Directorate of Internal Security (DGSI).

Pilot Philippe Boutron was driving the assistance vehicle affected by the explosion, which seriously injured his calf. Aged 61, he was repatriated after undergoing surgery in Saudi Arabia. Pilot Thierry Richard, who was also in the vehicle but was not injured, said he was convinced it was a “attack”. Saudi authorities, on Saturday, ruled out a criminal act and called the explosion “accident”.

No explosives were discovered at this stage, France Télévisions learned from a source close to the file. But material elements and statements from direct witnesses led the Pnat to open up this judicial framework.

For its part, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on its nationals to “maximum vigilance”, adding on the contrary that “the hypothesis of a criminal act” was not “not discarded” and recalling: “The terrorist threat persists in Saudi Arabia.” The organization of the race had explained that a “malicious act” was not excluded.