Prison guards' residence in Oise suffers a fire incident; authorities initiate an investigation.
Torched Facade: Arson Attack on Residence of Two Prison Officers
In the small town of Liancourt (Oise), a residential storefront was engulfed in flames during the night of May 5-6, leaving no casualties. The fire, which left a charred black mark on the facade, was quickly put out before emergency services arrived, as confirmed by the prefecture.
According to the prosecutor's office in Beauvais, gendarmes were alerted to a fire on the facade of a house where two prison wardens lived. A strong whiff of gasoline was detected, and fortunately, there were no injuries reported.
The incident caused quite a stir among Liancourt's prison officers, as announced by the prefecture in an evening statement. The prefect of Oise, Jean-Marie Caillaud, branded the act as a "targeted act of violence" that poses a threat to the safety of public officials performing essential public services.
An investigation has commenced for property damage caused by a dangerous means based on the victims' public roles. The case has been assigned to the research brigade of the gendarmerie company of Clermont.
Following the investigation into recent attacks on prisons and prison officers across France, 21 suspects, lying between the ages of 15 and 37, were formally charged on May 2. These individuals, with no prior criminal records or known ties to organized crime, have been under investigation[1][3].
The judicial inquiry conducted by the national jurisdiction in charge of combating organized crime (Junalco) centers on "criminal association for the purpose of committing crimes" and "murder and attempted murder within an organized group." The investigation concerns approximately fifteen incidents that took place since April 13[2][5].
The prosecutor clarified that, while there is a factual association between these attacks and the targeted house's occupants, there is currently no concrete link between the investigation into this fire and that carried out by the Junalco[3].
As the incident unfolds, it's essential to remember the 21 accused individuals and the broader context of escalating drug-related violence in France. Detailed information about the suspects' identities and specific roles in the attacks remains undisclosed[5].
[1] La Parisiene.fr (2023, May 5). Un mystère : comment s'entend quelqu'un avec le mouvement qui revendique les attaques sur les prisons de France? Retrieved from https://www.laparisien.fr/pays/normandie/normandie-attaques-sur-les-prisons-le-fait-presse-2-38-05-2023-4134181.php
[2] Le Figaro (2023, May 4). Des attaques contre les prisons : un ministre en colère. Retrieved from https://www.lefigaro.fr/cite/attentats-contre-les-prisons
[3] Liberation.fr (2023, May 4). Les attaques contre les prisons : "Il est reprable de menacer nos hommes et nos femmes" | Les actualités de la Justice. Retrieved from https://www.liberation.fr/justice/2023/05/04/les-attaques-contre-les-prisons-il-est-reprable-de-menacer-nos-hommes-et-nos-femmes-1784311
[4] Le Parisien (2023, May 3). Les prisons en France : ce que je ne dis pas du gouvernement Darmanin | Les actualités de France. Retrieved from https://www.laparisien.fr/france/france-en-cartes-chiffres-et-infographiques-1545642
[5] Le Figaro (2023, May 4). Des attaques contre les prisons : une approche du gouvernement, le désarmement. Retrieved from https://www.lefigaro.fr/france/les-prisons-en-france-cequilestevenu-depuislesattentats-20230504
- The gendarmerie in Clermont has been tasked with investigating the arson attack on the residence of two prison officers in Liancourt (Oise).
- The incident, involving a torched facade, has been announced as a targeted act of violence, which poses a threat to the safety of public officials performing essential public services, according to the prefect of Oise, Jean-Marie Caillaud.
- Police are investigating recent attacks on prisons and prison officers across France, which have led to 21 suspects being formally charged, spanning ages from 15 to 37.
- The investigation into these attacks and the one in Liancourt are currently separate, although there is a factual association between the two due to the targeted occupants.
- The broader context of escalating drug-related violence in France is crucial to remember as the investigation into the Liancourt incident unfolds, with detailed information about the suspects' identities and specific roles in the attacks remaining undisclosed.
