The man suspected to have planted a parcel bomb in the central French city of Lyon that wounded 13 people last week has told investigators that he had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, a judicial source said on Thursday.
Police arrested the main suspect, 24-year-old Algerian computer student, and three other people in connection with the case on Monday.
“He admitted having made the parcel bomb and deposited it late on Friday afternoon not far from Lyon-Perrache train station in front of a bakery,” the source close to the investigation said.
Most of those hurt were hospitalised for treatment to leg injuries that were described as light.
French president Emmanuel Macron characterised the incident as an “attack” when the news broke during a live YouTube interview ahead of the European elections.
The partially masked suspect appeared in security camera footage wheeling a bicycle to the scene, before leaving a bag outside a branch of Brioche Doree, a popular bakery chain.
Soon after he left, the blast rained metal bolts on passersby in front of the premises on rue Victor Hugo, several blocks from the city’s main station, according to police.– Reuters