Suspected terrorist who tried to kill a French soldier in copycat attack was 'caught on security camera footage removing his robes'

Private Cedric Cordier was stabbed in the throat and neck from behind
Attacker was robed, bearded, in his 30s, of North African origin
It is believed he was ‘inspired’ by the savage murder of Drummer Lee Rigby

PUBLISHED: 05:56 EST, 26 May 2013 | UPDATED: 07:20 EST, 26 May 2013

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The manhunt for a suspected terrorist who tried to kill a French soldier continued today as police confirmed he was caught on security camera footage.

In an apparent copycat of an ambush in London in which a British serviceman was murdered, the 6ft 2ins attacker struck in front of dozens of passers-by on Saturday evening.

His victim, 23-year-old Private Cedric Cordier, fell to the floor instantly when he was stabbed in the throat and neck from behind.

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The manhunt for a suspected terrorist who tried to kill a French soldier continued today as police confirmed he was caught on security camera footage

Police officers stand near the cordoned off spot where a French soldier was stabbed in the throat in the busy commercial district of La Defense, outside Paris

Police officers stand near the cordoned off spot where the French soldier was stabbed in the throat in the busy commercial district of La Defense, outside Paris

A police investigator works at the site where a man armed with a box cutter attacked a French soldier patrolling a subway station of Paris' business district, stabbing him in the neck

The soldier in uniform was armed and was patrolling as part of France's Vigipirate anti-terrorist surveillance scheme

Two comrades from the 4th Cavalry Regiment were with him, and carrying automatic rifles, but they failed to react before the man ran off.

‘We are looking through video surveillance footage,’ said an officer at the scene of the crime. ‘He was seen taking off his Arab-style robes and running away wearing European clothing.’

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The attacker was bearded, in his 30s, of North African origin, and wore a long, flowing Arab garment called a Djellaba.

Detectives are convinced that he was ‘inspired’ by the savage murder of Drummer Lee Rigby, who was allegedly hacked down by two radical Islamists in Woolwich, south London, last Wednesday.

Paris police spokesman Christophe Crepin said: ‘You don’t have to be a great observer to see that people are taking inspiration from what’s happened abroad.’

While Drummer Rigby was off duty, Private Cordier was on an anti-terrorism patrol in La Defense business district of west Paris.

Police statement as French anti-terror soldier has throat slashed...

France's defence minister said the soldier stabbed in Paris on Saturday was targeted because he was in the army and vowed to continue his country's 'implacable' fight against terrorism

Detectives are convinced that he was 'inspired' by the savage murder of Drummer Lee Rigby, who was allegedly hacked down by two radical Islamists in Woolwich, south London, last Wednesday

While Drummer Rigby was off duty, Private Cordier was on an anti-terrorism patrol in La Defense business district of west Paris

France’s defence minister Jean Yves Le Drian said that attack had undoubtedly been an ‘attempt to kill’ the soldier, whose regiment had recently fought in Afghanistan.

Private Cordier lost a considerable amount of blood but would survive, and is being treated at the nearby Percy military hospital.

‘There are elements - the sudden violence of the attack - that could lead one to believe there might be a comparison with what happened in London,’ added French Interior Minister Manuel Valls.

France is considered a hotbed of radical Islamists, and the country’s Vigipirate anti-terrorist surveillance plan is currently in action.

Last year Mohammed Merah, a 23-year-old French-Algerian Islamist, murdered three French soldiers near the south west city of Toulouse during a killing spree which also claimed the lives of four civilians.

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The Politicians experiment is not working in France either is it?.

- John Bailey , England, United Kingdom, 26/5/2013 14:05

Click to rate Rating 381

If the soldiers were armed and on anti-terrorism duty yet couldn't react fast enough to at least apprehend the guy, then I would consider very seriously giving them some more training. How are they going to protect their public if they can't even protect one of their own?

- PAJ , Sussex, 26/5/2013 13:45

Click to rate Rating 215

How the heck did a nutter manage to seriously assault an armed soldier on guard duty with his mates nearby and manage to escape?

- Farmer Giles , Truro, 26/5/2013 13:36

Click to rate Rating 289

Radical Islamists are rife in Europe because of our liberal ways of life, freedom of movement, 'free speech', benefits and failing government policies and laws relating to immigration and human rights. A tougher stance is needed throughout the EU to stop these mad men.

- Philip , London, 26/5/2013 13:24

Click to rate Rating 428

"France is considered a hotbed of radical Islamists"..................... unlike Britain, which of course is not.......

- and another thing... , In the sun, 26/5/2013 13:09

Click to rate Rating 319

let see if the french police catch him alive. As far i know french government dont like to waste like to waste money on people like this. like we do.

- ip , Anywhere, 26/5/2013 13:08

Click to rate Rating 260

I hope they find and deal with the scum appropriately.

- eyes in the sky , somewhere in lala land, 26/5/2013 13:04

Click to rate Rating 225

Lets home the french who don't have our obsession with human rights will just kill him when they find the scum.