Younger brother of Arras attacker released under electronic surveillance

The younger brother of the assailant in the 2023 Arras attack, which resulted in the death of Professor Dominique Bernard, has been released under electronic surveillance. The 19-year-old, identified as Osmane (name changed), was 16 at the time of the incident and faces charges of complicity in assassination and attempted assassinations linked to a terrorist enterprise. He vehemently denies these accusations.

Osmane had been detained for two and a half years before a Paris court of appeal ordered his release on April 16. He was placed under judicial supervision with an order to remain in Lyon, effectively under house arrest. This decision followed a rejection of a request by the prefecture to extend his administrative detention for expulsion to Russia, based on an order to leave French territory issued in early April.

His release from prison was planned, with arrangements made for him to be supported by an association in Lyon. However, upon his release, he was detained and placed in an administrative retention center pending expulsion. A judicial source confirmed that the court of appeal rejected the prefecture's request to prolong his detention, stating that continued detention was unnecessary given his existing house arrest and judicial supervision. Osmane expressed relief upon his release, noting that he had left personal belongings behind at the retention center. He is now permitted to leave his residence for two hours daily, during which he must report to the police station and border police.