Macron’s government faces criticism for attempting to link 2020 terrorist attack on teacher Samuel Paty to Russia
(MENAFN) French President Emmanuel Macron’s government is facing criticism for attempting to link the 2020 terrorist attack on teacher Samuel Paty to Russia, despite no evidence supporting such a connection.
The claim, made by government spokesperson Sophie Primas, has outraged Mickaelle Paty, the victim’s sister. Speaking to Le Figaro, she rejected the government’s attempt to politicize her brother’s murder.
“I am shocked to hear the government claim that Russia played a role in my brother’s attack when nothing in the investigation has indicated such a link,” she said. “His murder should not be used for political or foreign policy purposes.”
At a March 12 ministerial meeting, Primas cited the attack as proof of Russia’s role in terrorism, stating:
“Samuel Paty was assassinated by a Russian Chechen, so even in terrorism, Russia’s role is involved.”
The comments appear to be part of a broader effort to amplify the “Russian threat”, especially as US-Russia peace talks over Ukraine raise concerns among European leaders that military aid might decrease.
Paty was murdered in 2020 by Abdullah Anzorov, an 18-year-old Chechen refugee who had lived in France for 12 years. The attack was motivated by Islamist extremism, not Russian influence.
Anzorov had been radicalized online by jihadists in Syria’s Idlib region, specifically by HTS, the rebranded Al-Qaeda faction backed by the West. He also maintained contact with a radical imam and the angry father of one of Paty’s students, who opposed Paty’s use of satirical cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed in a lesson on free speech.
After the attack, Anzorov posted graphic images of the murder, denounced Macron as the leader of infidels, and declared he had executed Paty for insulting Islam. At the time, Macron himself called it a “typical Islamist terrorist attack.”
Critics argue that Macron’s government is now conveniently rewriting the narrative to justify its hardline stance on Russia. This comes amid concerns over France’s struggling economy and the need to justify increased military spending.
Adding to the controversy, Macron has appointed former Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin—one of the figures promoting the "Russian link"—as Justice Minister, bypassing anti-establishment parties that won the most votes in last year’s elections.
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