a very radicalized inmate and suspected of having influenced the killer, among those held in police custody

In the investigation into the knife attack at the Gambetta-Carnot high school in Arras which left one dead and three injured, an inmate was taken from the Moulins-Yzeure penitentiary center (Allier) to be placed in police custody. Maxime C., aged 32, very radicalized, was in contact recently from his cell with Mohammed M., the man suspected of being the attacker of the Arras high school, franceinfo learned, Sunday October 15, from a source close to the case. Investigators wonder if he could have encouraged or even remotely guided the attacker. He must be questioned by the anti-terrorist sub-directorate.

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Last year, Maxime C. was tried for a planned terrorist action. The magistrates remember that at the end of the trial, during the prosecutor’s requisitions, the man began to pray, franceinfo learned from a close source, confirming information from Le Parisien.

A profile that intrigues investigators

Initially a common law offender for drug and weapons possession cases, Maxime C. entered prison in 2012 at the age of 21, and has not been released since. In 2015, he became radicalized in detention and was noted for his proselytizing. Prison intelligence services note that it broadcasts calls to prayer and songs considered jihadist. This is what forces the prison administration to change prisons regularly. Suspicions then focus on a plan for violent action against supervisors. This is why he was sentenced last year to 10 years in prison for “criminal terrorist association”.