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'Isis' beheading: Man decapitated in France 'by attacker who tried to blow up factory' 'Isis' beheading: Man decapitated in France 'by attacker who tried to blow up factory'
(35 minutes later)
A man has reportedly been decapitated by suspected Isis supporters at a factory in France.A man has reportedly been decapitated by suspected Isis supporters at a factory in France.
Local media reports said what appeared to be an Islamist black flag was seen at the site in Saint-Quentin-Fallavier. The murdered man's head was found attached to a wire mesh fence surrounded by two black flags linked to the terrorist group near the entrance to the factory in Saint-Quentin-Fallavier, police said.
The murdered man's head was found attached to a wire mesh fence near the entrance to the factory, police said, and he may have been killed elsewhere. According to Le Parisien newspaper, the man's face was covered in Arabic writing and there was speculation that he may have been murdered elsewhere and the body then taken to Air Products for the gruesome display. Forensic investigators and gendarmes next to the fence where the head was found in Saint-Quentin-Fallavier
Forensic investigators and gendarmes next to the fence where the head was found in Saint-Quentin-Fallavier According to Le Parisien newspaper, the man's face was covered in Arabic writing. A man named as Yassin Salhi, aged 35 and from Saint-Priest, near Lyon, was detained by a firefighter at the scene and has been arrested.
A man named as Yassin Salhi, aged 35 and from Saint-Priest, near Lyon, was detained by a firefighter at the scene and has been detained.
Authorities said he had previously been under security service surveillance after fears he had been radicalised and had links to extremists.Authorities said he had previously been under security service surveillance after fears he had been radicalised and had links to extremists.
A "loud explosion" was heard at Air Products, a gas products firm, at 9.50am local time (8.50 BST) Le Dauphine Libre reported.A "loud explosion" was heard at Air Products, a gas products firm, at 9.50am local time (8.50 BST) Le Dauphine Libre reported.
Two men in a car had forced their way into the compound and after driving at speed within the factory grounds, they rammed a pile of gas cylinders, causing a small explosion. Two men had driven into the factory compound and driven around at speed before ramming a pile of gas cylinders, causing a small explosion.
At least one other person was hurt in the attack, although the extent of their injuries is not known.At least one other person was hurt in the attack, although the extent of their injuries is not known.
Initial reports suggested neither the murder victim or attacker was an employee of the factory.Initial reports suggested neither the murder victim or attacker was an employee of the factory.
There is continued confusion over why initial reports said there were two attackers in the car, but only one man has been arrested.There is continued confusion over why initial reports said there were two attackers in the car, but only one man has been arrested.
French journalists have speculated that the second suspect could be among injured people and may be detained after treatment. French security and emergency services gather at the entrance of the Air Products company in Saint-Quentin-Fallavier, near LyonFrench journalists have speculated that the second suspect could be among injured people and may be detained after treatment. French security and emergency services gather at the entrance of the Air Products company in Saint-Quentin-Fallavier, near Lyon
Speaking from Brussels before returning to France, President Francois Hollande said one person had been killed and two injured in what bore all the "hallmarks of a terrorist attack".Speaking from Brussels before returning to France, President Francois Hollande said one person had been killed and two injured in what bore all the "hallmarks of a terrorist attack".
He said there was "no doubt" the terrorists, one man and an accomplice, meant to cause an explosion at the factory using gas cannisters.He said there was "no doubt" the terrorists, one man and an accomplice, meant to cause an explosion at the factory using gas cannisters.
"There is emotion but emotion cannot be the only response. There must also be action, prevention, dissuasion," the President added."There is emotion but emotion cannot be the only response. There must also be action, prevention, dissuasion," the President added.
"It is vital to further our values, to never to give in and never, whatever the circumstances, create unnecessary division or intolerable suspicion."It is vital to further our values, to never to give in and never, whatever the circumstances, create unnecessary division or intolerable suspicion.
"We will ensure that the French people are protected and eradicate the groups or individuals responsible for these acts.""We will ensure that the French people are protected and eradicate the groups or individuals responsible for these acts."
The French interior minister, Bernard Cazeneuve, is in Isère and spoke this afternoon, where he identified the suspect and said several other arrests have been made in relation to the investigation.The French interior minister, Bernard Cazeneuve, is in Isère and spoke this afternoon, where he identified the suspect and said several other arrests have been made in relation to the investigation.
He said Salhi did not have a criminal record but had links to Salafists and was known to security forces since 2006, when they believed he had been radicalised. They stopped surveillance two years later.He said Salhi did not have a criminal record but had links to Salafists and was known to security forces since 2006, when they believed he had been radicalised. They stopped surveillance two years later.
A Downing Street spokesperson said David Cameron has expressed his condolences to President Hollande during EU talks in Brussels. Speaking from Brussels, where he is attending EU talks, David Cameron said terrorism is a "threat that faces all of us" and that attacks like those today in France, Kuwait and Tunisia "can happen anywhere".
"He expressed his sympathies for what looks like an appalling incident," she added. "(We must) deal with the threat at source, whether that is Isil (Isis) in Syria and Iraq or other extremist groups around the world," the Prime Minister added.
"Details are still emerging, so we wait to see those. But it clearly looks an extremely concerning situation and our thoughts are with all those affected by it." "Perhaps more important than anything is this poisonous, radical narrative that is turning so many young minds. We have to combat it with everything that we have."
He announced an an emergency Cobra meeting with ministers later today on counter-terrorism and intelligence sharing.
Air Products is headquartered in the US but is an international corporation with facilities in several countries, including the UK, mostly selling gases and chemicals for industrial use.Air Products is headquartered in the US but is an international corporation with facilities in several countries, including the UK, mostly selling gases and chemicals for industrial use.
A spokesperson did not confirm whether its staff were among the two people reported injured and one dead but said the site had been evacuated.
He added: "Our crisis and emergency response teams have been activated and are working closely with all relevant authorities."
The vehicle used by the attacker belonged to a sub-contracting company which had a right to enter the site, according to Isere's Prefect, the senior national government administrator.
Jean-Paul Bonnetain said investigators were now looking at the possibility that the terrorists had first attacked Air Products or one of its employees and hijacked the vehicle.
France has been in a state of high alert since the attacks on the Charlie Hebdo offices and a Kosher supermarket in Paris.France has been in a state of high alert since the attacks on the Charlie Hebdo offices and a Kosher supermarket in Paris.