A 21-year-old man from Auxerre was arrested on Tuesday, September 13 as part of an investigation for “terrorist apology”, learned France Bleu from the public prosecutor of Auxerre, Hugues de Phily, confirming information from our colleagues of the Republican Yonne. This Icaunais is suspected of having published, on August 28, on the social network Instagram a photo of the truck which mowed down dozens of people on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, on July 14, 2016. The image was accompanied by hate speech against the victims : “Nissa shit, 80 fachos missing”.
On August 29, the mayor of Nice Christian Estrosi and the association “Life for Nice” announced to seize the Nice prosecutor. The latter – on the same day – opened an investigation for apology for terrorism. He then withdrew in favor of the Auxerre prosecutor. The defendant was brought before the prosecution during the day, then placed in pre-trial detention. He will be presented in immediate appearance Wednesday at 2 p.m.h before the Auxerre Criminal Court.
The attack in Nice, which took place on July 4, 2016, caused86 dead and over 400 injured. The trial opened on September 5 before the special assize court in Paris, until November 15. Three defendants appear for “criminal terrorist association”. The driver of the truck was killed the evening of the attack.