A second suspect has been taken into custody in the investigation into the criminal arson at Limoges City Hall, as prosecutors upgraded charges against the first suspect to attempted murder over the danger posed to police officers inside the building.
Arrest in the Creuse
The man, aged 66, was arrested on the morning of Thursday, 22 October, in a small hamlet on the Millevaches plateau in the Creuse department. According to investigators, he is close to the far-left movement and is known to police for theft and violence. The justice system accuses him of participating in the destruction of property.
Investigators believe he was among those who smashed the ground-floor windows of the Hôtel de Ville in Limoges (Haute-Vienne) on Saturday, 17 October. According to sources, the man knew the first suspect — the individual suspected of directly starting the fire.
Charges Upgraded to Attempted Murder
The custody of the first suspect was extended by 48 hours, and on Thursday morning the Limoges public prosecutor reclassified the allegations against him. He is now accused of attempted murder.
“The hearings of the 13 municipal police officers present inside the city hall at the time of the events justify extending the custody on the charge of attempted murder of persons holding public authority,” prosecutor Émilie Abrantes wrote.
Footage shows the 13 municipal officers in the city hall lobby at the moment the fire broke out. “We are forced to take their own paving stones, because we no longer have enough cartridges and we have no more gas!” one officer can be heard saying.
Suspect Invokes Right to Silence
Me Guillaume Laverdure, the lawyer assisting the first suspect during custody, said his client had expressed regret over what happened. “He was able to say he found what happened absolutely terrible,” the lawyer said. “But today he is exercising his right to silence on the facts he is accused of, which is an absolute right.”
Both Suspects Still in Custody
Both men remained in custody at the Limoges police station on Thursday evening. They could be brought before a judge on Friday with a view to possible formal indictment.
- Second suspect: 66 years old, known to police for theft and violence, linked to far-left circles.
- First suspect: suspected of starting the fire; now facing attempted murder charges.
- Officers at risk: 13 municipal police were inside the building when the blaze began.
- Next step: possible court appearance and indictment on Friday.
