French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau has announced that his country will revoke the residency permit of a Moroccan national who sparked outrage after desecrating the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Paris.
A viral video of the incident, in which the man is seen lighting a cigarette beneath the Arc de Triomphe, has sparked an outcry online.
Police arrested the man, who is now in custody.
Europe 1 reported that the man is already known to police.
“According to Article 225-17 of the Penal Code, the man whose residence permit is set to be revoked faces a fine of several thousand euros,” said the repor.
Le Figaro identified the suspect as a Moroccan man who has been residing legally in France.
Many French officials reacted to the video, including Retailleau, who described the situation as a “disgraceful and contemptible act.”
“He will be brought before the justice system. This is a disgraceful and contemptible act and is an affront to the memory of those who died for France,” he wrote on X.
Patricia Miralles, Minister Delegate for Remembrance and Veterans Affairs, also condemned the situation as an “unacceptable display of indecency.”
She said the act is an insult to “our dead, our history, and our nation.” She described the situation as also an “affront to the memory of those who fell for France,” confirming having filed a formal complaint with the Paris public prosecutor.
