The man who slapped the French president in public described his motive as anger at the “decline of France.”
The man who slapped the French president a few days ago in a public session made headlines by describing his motive as anger at the “decline of France.”
Damil Tarl, 28, is scheduled to appear in court for the first time today and is likely to be sentenced to prison.
French prosecutors have previously said Tarl had confessed to attacking Emmanuel Macron but said he had done so without prior planning.
He said during interrogation sessions that he had links to the so-called “Yellow Jackets” movement, whose protests caused the Macron government many problems.
A French prosecutor said in a statement Wednesday: “He said he did it immediately and without thinking to show his dissatisfaction.”
Tarl’s attack on Emmanuel Macron made headlines around the world on Wednesday. Hours later, Macron said anger and hatred posed a threat to democracy.
This happened during Macron’s trip to the region of Drom, in the southeast of France. Macron made the trip less than a year before the presidential election to assess the country after the Corona epidemic.
Tarl’s acquaintances have described him as a ruthless person. The French prosecutor said he was not a member of any political or militant group.
French prosecutors say a gun was found in the home of another man arrested along with Tarl. He will not be charged with assaulting Macron, but will stand trial for illegal possession of a weapon.