Three Moldovan nationals were apprehended in Paris this Saturday morning under the suspicion of creating tags depicting red coffins with the inscription “French soldiers dead in Ukraine”. The arrests, which took place in the 7th arrondissement, were confirmed by the Paris prosecutor's office, as reported by Le Figaro and corroborated with information from BFMTV.
The tags, produced with stencils and painted in red, were discovered at the foot of a building. While the exact number of graffiti is still unknown, it is being investigated whether these incidents are connected to a previous event where coffins draped with French flags were placed at the base of the Eiffel Tower just a week earlier.
An investigation led by the Paris public prosecutor's office has been initiated, focusing on charges such as 'damage during a meeting,’ 'damage to a property of public utility,’ and 'criminal association with a view to preparing a crime.' Paris Territorial Security has been entrusted with the investigation.
Further details revealed that during the arrest, the three suspects were found in possession of paint and stencils. These men were detained at the Paris territorial security premises, with sources indicating they were Moldovan nationals allegedly paid between 200 to 300 euros to undertake these acts, suggesting they travel to Paris temporarily and depart shortly after committing the offenses.
The incident has raised suspicions of 'Russian interference,' particularly due to the recent history of similar politically charged acts in Paris. Earlier this month, five coffins with tricolor flags were found near the Eiffel Tower with similar inscriptions, and thirty-five red handprints were tagged on the Wall of the Righteous at the Shoah Memorial in May. These patterns have fueled concerns over possible foreign influence.
- The Paris public prosecutor's office is intensifying efforts to determine the origins and motives behind these acts, working closely with various security agencies.
- There has been a rising trend of politically motivated vandalism in Paris, often linked to global conflicts and foreign interference. The authorities are looking into possible connections with broader geopolitical tensions, especially given the ongoing conflict involving Ukraine.
