(JTA) — The alleged knife-wielding attacker of three soldiers guarding a Jewish community center in France was charged with attempted murder during a terror operation.
Moussa Coulibaly, 30, was indicted Saturday, according to the French news agency AFP, citing an unnamed judicial source. He was ordered held until trial.
On Feb. 4, during questioning a day after the attack on the JCC in Nice, in southern France, Coulibaly spoke of his hatred of France, Jews, the police and military, France 24 reported. He also said he believed Muslims were persecuted throughout the world. He reportedly already was known to police, including for robbery and drug use.
In the attack, one soldier was stabbed in his arm and another was cut on his face. The soldiers were on anti-terror patrol outside the JCC, which is located in the center of the city.
Police detained the attacker, but two alleged accomplices fled after the stabbing, according to France 24.
Jewish institutions, mosques and heavily trafficked areas throughout France have been under military protection by more than 10,000 soldiers since last month’s attacks by Islamic extremists, including one at a kosher supermarket in Paris, left 17 dead. Coulibaly is not related to the attacker with the same surname in the kosher market.
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