2023 Tours bombing

On May 23, 2023, an individual attacked the LGBT center in Tours, France, with an explosive device containing acid and aluminum. The attack resulted in no casualties as the people inside the center managed to move away from the device. An investigation for attempted murder has been opened.

2023 Tours bombing
LocationTours, France
Date23 May 2023
TargetLGBT center of Tours
WeaponExplosive device
Deaths0
Injured0
MotiveAnti-LGBT
Integralist Catholicism

On June 1, 2023, the prime suspect, a 17-year-old integralist Catholic, was arrested.

Background

In 2022 and 2023, violence and attacks targeting LGBT centers and members have been on the rise in France.[1] Specifically, the LGBT center of Tours has experienced six attacks between January and May 2023.[2][3] This is part of a broader resurgence of terrorist acts and far-right violence in France.[4][5][6]

Chronology

On May 23, 2023, around 3:30 PM,[7] a masked individual threw a bottle containing acid and aluminum,[8][9] an explosive mixture, at the LGBT center of Tours.[10][11] After the two employees and a volunteer inside went out to investigate, the perpetrator allegedly said, "Good luck" before fleeing.[8] The device then delayed in detonating, allowing the three volunteers to seek shelter.[8] The center suffered significant damage as a result of the attack.

The prefect of Indre-et-Loire and the mayor of Tours visited the site shortly after the attack.[7][9][10] An investigation for "attempted murder" has been opened by the judicial police and the Central Office for the Fight against Crimes against Humanity and Hate Crimes (OCLCH).[9]

Suspect

The suspect, a 17-year-old integralist Catholic, was arrested on June 1, 2023, and placed in police custody.[12][13] After a search at his residence, the police discovered hydrochloric acid and a manual used for bomb-making.[14]

References
  1. "Le nombre d'agressions physiques homophobes en forte hausse en 2022 selon le rapport de SOS Homophobie". ici, par France Bleu et France 3 (in French). 2023-05-16. Retrieved 2023-05-24.
  2. "Le centre LGBT de Tours visé par une bouteille explosive, 6e attaque depuis janvier". BFMTV (in French). Retrieved 2023-05-24.
  3. "Tours : un centre LGBTI victime d'une sixième attaque". LEFIGARO (in French). 2023-05-23. Retrieved 2023-05-24.
  4. Abzouz, Yunnes. "Depuis la candidature Zemmour, la violence d'extrême droite se déchaîne sur les universités". Mediapart (in French). Retrieved 2023-05-24.
  5. Deleurence, Guillaume (2023-03-10). "Depuis janvier, l'extrême droite décomplexée". POLITIS (in French). Retrieved 2023-05-24.
  6. "Violences d'ultra-droite : la nouvelle menace ?". France Culture (in French). 2022-08-16. Retrieved 2023-05-24.
  7. "Jet d'un engin explosif sur le centre LGBT de Tours, la 6e attaque en 2023". www.20minutes.fr (in French). 2023-05-23. Retrieved 2023-05-24.
  8. "Bouteille explosive au centre LGBTI de Touraine : "On ne baissera pas les bras"". Tetu (in French). Retrieved 2023-05-24.
  9. Perrotin, Maëlle Le Corre, David. "Centre LGBTI attaqué à Tours : enquête ouverte pour « tentative d'assassinat »". Mediapart (in French). Retrieved 2023-05-24.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  10. "Le centre LGBT+ de Tours, ciblé six fois en 2023, visé par une attaque à la bouteille explosive". Ouest-France.fr (in French). 2023-05-22. Retrieved 2023-05-24.
  11. "A Tours, un centre LGBT + visé par un « lancer d'engin détonant », une enquête ouverte pour assassinat". Le Monde.fr (in French). 2023-05-23. Retrieved 2023-05-24.
  12. à 17h05, Par Vincent Gautronneau Le 1 juin 2023 (2023-06-01). "Un jeune catholique intégriste en garde à vue après l'attaque à l'explosif d'un centre LGBT de Tours". leparisien.fr (in French). Retrieved 2023-06-01.
  13. SudOuest.fr (2023-01-06). "Attaque à l'explosif d'un centre LGBTI à Tours" (in French). ISSN 1760-6454. Retrieved 2023-06-01.
  14. "Un jeune catholique intégriste interpellé après l'attaque à l'explosif d'un centre LGBT à Tours". Le HuffPost (in French). 2023-06-01. Retrieved 2023-06-01.

47°23′44.8″N 0°40′46.1″E

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