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Paris police chief Laurent Nuñez announced Tuesday that an investigation has been opened after at least five pig heads were discovered outside several mosques in Paris and its metropolitan area. On one of the heads, the word «Macron» had been painted in blue. According to police sources cited by Le Figaro, «the discoveries are ongoing and being made as the mosques open».
The incidents involve multiple locations: Marey Street in the 20th arrondissement, the entrance of a mosque in the 15th, and a suitcase containing a pig head in the 18th. Two more were found in the suburbs, one outside the Islah mosque in Montreuil (Seine-Saint-Denis), and another in Montrouge (Hauts-de-Seine).
The criminal brigade of the Paris police prefecture has been assigned to investigate on the grounds of «incitement to hatred aggravated by discrimination based on race or religion». The Nanterre prosecutor’s office has transferred similar cases to the Paris prosecutor’s office, Le Figaro reported.
The Grand Mosque of Paris strongly condemned «these Islamophobic acts» in a statement to AFP, describing them as an attempt «to divide our national community». Its rector, Chemseddine Hafiz, urged «awareness and national solidarity against this perilous trajectory». Seine-Saint-Denis prefect Julien Charles also denounced «this vile act», voicing his support for the Muslim community in Montreuil and across the department.
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau expressed solidarity with «the leaders and worshippers of the mosques affected by these intolerable provocations», calling the targeting of places of worship «an unfathomable cowardice». Speaking to the press Tuesday morning, he added: «I hope we will find those responsible for this desecration. No one has the right to insult any religion».
