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Was the explosion of an assistance vehicle at the start of the Dakar Rally an attack? The national anti-terrorism prosecution opened an investigation on Tuesday, January 4, for attempted terrorist assassination. Thursday, December 30, this explosion had injured two French, including one seriously.
Philippe Boutron, Dakar Rally driver, was he a victim of terrorism? The investigations are accelerating, Tuesday January 4 at the end of the day. French justice opens an investigation entrusted to the DGSI for attempted assassination in connection with a terrorist company. Thursday, December 30, in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), before departure, Philippe Boutron is driving an assistance vehicle, when the car explodes, and flames set the interior ablaze.
The French pilot was seriously injured, the other five passengers escaped unscathed. Very quickly, the Saudi authorities speak of an accident, exclude any criminal act, which is implausible for one of the passengers. Testimonies and photos would have led the terrorist prosecution to open an investigation. The expertises are still in progress. At this stage, no trace of an explosive has been found, but the announcement of an investigation in France reassures Philippe Boutron’s team. In the past, the Dakar has been confronted with terrorism. In 2001, the race was threatened by the Polisario Front, then in 2008, the Dakar chose South America and left Africa, under the threat of Al-Qaeda.