Police in France arrested a man suspected of wounding three women with a sharp weapon at different metro stations in the capital Paris, according to prosecutors.
The three women were attacked at three different locations on Line 3 of the Paris Metro, which also stops in the city centre.
The French Interior Ministry said the suspect had targeted a woman in the back, minutes after attacking another victim in the leg. The third victim later suffered back injuries.
Two of the victims were taken to hospital, but were not in critical condition, officials said.
What do we know about the suspect?
The French Interior Ministry said in a statement quoted by the French AFP news agency that the suspect is a 25-year-old Malian who is nationally known to police. He was jailed in 2024 on charges of aggravated theft and sexual assault.
The suspect had to leave France after his release in July this year. But a missing consular travel document prevented deportation.
He was identified using surveillance camera footage.
French Interior Minister Laurent Núñez praised authorities for quickly capturing the suspect in his X account, and said the quick arrest was due to video surveillance and the police’s “exceptional knowledge of the area”.
European capitals are preparing for year-end celebrations with increased caution amid recent attacks and revelations of plots targeting religious festivals and celebrations.
Edited by: Rana Taha