Audio By Carbonatix
Three suspects detained over a knife attack at the Notre-Dame Basilica in Nice have been set free. Meanwhile, local parishioners have celebrated the first Mass at the church since the attack — under heavy security.
French police have released three suspects arrested in connection to what authorities say was an Islamist knife attack at a church in the Southern city of Nice.
Three people — a church sexton and two women — were killed in the attack on Thursday inside the Notre-Dame Basilica.
French news agency AFP cited judicial sources as saying that three male suspects — aged 47, 35 and 33 — were released from custody on Sunday after it was established they were not linked to the attacker.
A 21-year-old Tunisian man, Brahim Issaoui, is accused of the attack and continues to remain at the hospital after being shot by police at the site of the rampage.
Three more people are still in custody. One man among them is believed to have migrated with the suspected knifeman, AFP reported.
Maximum security level on All Saints' Day in France
The attack is being described as the latest in response to the republication of controversial cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad by satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in September.
Following the October beheading of teacher Samuel Paty, who showed a cartoon of the prophet in his class, French President Emmanuel Macron said the country would never renounce the right to caricature.
His statement stirred anger in the Muslim world, with many countries seeing demonstrations over the past week.
Churches under security
Earlier on Sunday, the three victims of the Nice attack were commemorated during an All Saints' Day Mass in the city's church of Saint Jean-Baptiste le Voeu.
Local parishioners also assembled at the Notre-Dame Basilica for its first Mass since the attack. Hundreds of people followed the Mass from a distance behind a security perimeter set up around the church.
About 120 police officers and 60 other soldiers have been deployed to guard churches, according to Nice Mayor Christian Estrosi.
Latest Stories
-
New Eastern Regional Fire Commander tours stations, identifies key operational challenges
24 minutes -
Government fully responsible for Accra flooding crisis – Miracles Aboagye
34 minutes -
Successive governments have failed to address flooding crisis – Susan Adu-Amankwah
38 minutes -
No one can hold title on Ramsar sites – Inusah Fuseini warns against encroachment
39 minutes -
We don’t need prayers or relief items; enforce the law – Samson Lardy Anyenini on recurring floods
43 minutes -
Fresh attempt to remove seized galamsey excavators in Aowin sparks controversy
44 minutes -
Susan Adu-Amankwah urges African governments to evacuate citizens over South Africa xenophobic attacks
45 minutes -
Former Finance Minister Amin Adam hands over Masjid Al-Noor to Muslim community
47 minutes -
Bawumia commends Amin Adam for visionary Masjid Al Noor project in Tamale
51 minutes -
Flood-related death toll could rise amid possible disease outbreak — Susan Adu-Amankwah warns
1 hour -
Xenophobia: South Africa must use civilised means to remove illegal migrants – Inusa Fuseini
1 hour -
NADMO to begin relief distribution to flood victims today
1 hour -
Using indiscipline to excuse leadership failure is unacceptable – Miracles Aboagye fires back over flood blame debate
1 hour -
Expedite constitutional review – Inusah Fuseini urges Mahama to allow election of MMDCEs
1 hour -
“I lost everything… the house is empty” – Dennis Miracles Aboagye recounts flood ordeal
1 hour