The suspect in the stabbing attack on three women in the Paris metro is a 25-year-old Malian citizen. The Regional Transport Security Service (SRT) has opened an investigation into attempted murder and aggravated assault with a weapon. The suspect remained in police custody on Saturday morning (27). The attacks took place on Friday, on line 3 of the metro.
Security camera images helped identify the suspect. He was arrested at 6:40 p.m. (2:40 p.m. in Brasilia), according to the Interior Ministry, after being located using his cell phone in Sarcelles, a northwest suburb of Paris.
According to the initial findings of the investigation, the man was already known to the police, mainly for property crimes committed under the influence of drugs. He was illegally staying in France, after being arrested and convicted, in January 2024, for aggravated theft and sexual assault.
Released in July 2025, the individual was then subject to a removal order (OQTF, Obligation to leave French territory) and placed in an administrative detention center.
However, as his expulsion could not be finalized within the legal deadline of 90 days, he was placed under house arrest because he did not obtain a residence permit. pass consular (travel document which replaces the passport) due to the absence of a valid identity document. A press release from the Ministry of the Interior specifies that he is currently the subject of an arrest warrant.
Paris under maximum surveillance
The three women were slightly injured. The attacks occurred in three stations on the same metro line in the center of the capital, in the middle of the afternoon, according to the Parisian public transport company (RATP).
The first attack occurred around 4:10 p.m. (12:10 p.m. in Brasilia), at the Arts et Métiers station. The man attacked, “for no apparent reason”, using a sharp weapon, according to the police. A few minutes later, he attacked the second victim at République station and the third around 4:45 p.m., at Opéra station.
Two of the victims were hospitalized “without their lives being in danger”, while the third went to the hospital alone, according to police sources.
Last week, the Minister of the Interior, Laurent Nuñez, asked security authorities to exercise “maximum vigilance” in the days leading up to the New Year celebrations. He spoke of “the very high level of the terrorist threat” and “the risk of disturbances to public order”, asking in particular that “particular attention” be given to “public transport”.
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