This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/28/second-normandy-attacker-was-on-security-register

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Police were warned of Normandy attack but lacked details to act Police were warned of Normandy attack but lacked details to act
(35 minutes later)
French police were warned that the second Normandy hostage-taker was planning an attack four days before the murder of a Catholic priest but were unable to identify him.French police were warned that the second Normandy hostage-taker was planning an attack four days before the murder of a Catholic priest but were unable to identify him.
France’s security services said they had received an alert from abroad and a photograph of an individual – later identified as Abdel Malik Nabil Petitjean – but had no idea of his name or where and when he would strike. As a result, they were unable to link the information to the 19-year-old from Aix-les-Bains in the Savoie region of eastern France who was put on the Fiche S (S List) security register less than a month ago for attempting to travel to Syria.France’s security services said they had received an alert from abroad and a photograph of an individual – later identified as Abdel Malik Nabil Petitjean – but had no idea of his name or where and when he would strike. As a result, they were unable to link the information to the 19-year-old from Aix-les-Bains in the Savoie region of eastern France who was put on the Fiche S (S List) security register less than a month ago for attempting to travel to Syria.
France’s intelligence services claimed the Turkish authorities, who picked up Petitjean on his way to Syria, did not inform them of his arrest for 15 days, by which time, unknown to them, he had slipped through the net and already returned to France. The French intelligence services claimed the Turkish authorities, who picked up Petitjean on his way to Syria on 10 June, did not inform them of his arrest for 15 days. The security services put him on the S List on 29 June and alerted border authorities to pick him up when he returned to France, but, unknown to them, he had slipped through the net and already returned.
About 10,000 people in France are on the S List, most of them alleged religious extremists, but officials say it is impossible to keep a close eye on each one.About 10,000 people in France are on the S List, most of them alleged religious extremists, but officials say it is impossible to keep a close eye on each one.
Malik was on Thursday identified as the subject of the mysterious tip-off from abroad that a “person already on French soil” was planning an attack. Petitjean was on Thursday identified as the subject of the mysterious tip-off from abroad that a “person already on French soil” was planning an attack.
On Tuesday, Petitjean and Abed Kermiche, 19, took six people hostage at the church in Saint-Étienne-du-Rouvray near Rouen in Normandy, where they slit the throat of 86-year-old Father Jacques Hamel, and stabbed a parishioner. The teenage attackers were shot by police as they left the church.On Tuesday, Petitjean and Abed Kermiche, 19, took six people hostage at the church in Saint-Étienne-du-Rouvray near Rouen in Normandy, where they slit the throat of 86-year-old Father Jacques Hamel, and stabbed a parishioner. The teenage attackers were shot by police as they left the church.
Petitjean’s identity card was found in Kermiche’s home. Telephone records suggest the pair only met recently, implying the attack was carried out on external orders.Petitjean’s identity card was found in Kermiche’s home. Telephone records suggest the pair only met recently, implying the attack was carried out on external orders.
A video on a mobile telephone, found during a search of another S List suspect, showed a young man resembling Petitjean declaring his allegiance to Islamic State but police were reportedly unable to identify him. It took a while after the Normandy attack for police to definitively put the attacker – who had been shot in the face by police – the photograph sent from abroad and the identity card together.A video on a mobile telephone, found during a search of another S List suspect, showed a young man resembling Petitjean declaring his allegiance to Islamic State but police were reportedly unable to identify him. It took a while after the Normandy attack for police to definitively put the attacker – who had been shot in the face by police – the photograph sent from abroad and the identity card together.
Before Petitjean’s identity was confirmed by DNA tests, his mother Yamina refused to believe her son was involved. “No, no, no. It’s impossible. I know my son, he’s kind. I haven’t created a devil,” she told BFMTV. “He never talked about Islamic State ... we are positive people, we talk about good things ... he’s my baby.”Before Petitjean’s identity was confirmed by DNA tests, his mother Yamina refused to believe her son was involved. “No, no, no. It’s impossible. I know my son, he’s kind. I haven’t created a devil,” she told BFMTV. “He never talked about Islamic State ... we are positive people, we talk about good things ... he’s my baby.”
She insisted her son, who recently passed a CAP (professional aptitude certificate) in sales, was staying with a cousin in Nancy, but admitted either she nor her 17-year-old daughter had heard from him since Monday evening. “Everyone around here knows my son. He’s a good boy. Calm,” she told RTL radio.She insisted her son, who recently passed a CAP (professional aptitude certificate) in sales, was staying with a cousin in Nancy, but admitted either she nor her 17-year-old daughter had heard from him since Monday evening. “Everyone around here knows my son. He’s a good boy. Calm,” she told RTL radio.
Three of Petitjean’s relatives were being questioned by police and the family home has been searched. Investigators insisted there was no evidence the three were in any way connected to the attack.Three of Petitjean’s relatives were being questioned by police and the family home has been searched. Investigators insisted there was no evidence the three were in any way connected to the attack.
Petitjean was picked up in Turkey on 10 June, but the French authorities said they were only informed about it 15 days later, and blamed the Turkish authorities for allowing him to slip through the net. The security services put him on the S List on 29 June and alerted French border authorities to pick him up when he returned to France. But by this time, the teenager was already back in the country.
In Saint-Étienne-du-Rouvray, the prefect banned a silent march to honour Father Hamel, for security reasons, but allowed mourners to gather at the local sports stadium.In Saint-Étienne-du-Rouvray, the prefect banned a silent march to honour Father Hamel, for security reasons, but allowed mourners to gather at the local sports stadium.