close
Tuesday, August 10, 2021

Rwandan immigrant reports self to police for murder of French priest who sheltered him

France’s immigration authorities said the Rwandan national had been handed an expulsion order in 2019 but remained in the country.

• August 9, 2021
Emmanuel Macron
France President, Emmanuel Macron (Photo Credit: Twitter)

A Rwandan immigrant on Monday reported to French police that he had murdered a Catholic priest who gave him shelter while he awaited possible trial over a fire at a cathedral in 2020.

The 40-year-old surrendered himself in the mid-morning of Monday, an official source familiar with the investigation said.

Shortly afterwards, police found the priest’s body in Saint-Laurent-Sur-Sevre, in the Vendee region.

The senator who represents the Vendee region, Bruno Retailleau, identified the victim as Olivier Maire, 60, head of the Montfortain Missionary Order at Saint-Laurent-Sur-Sevre.

France’s immigration authorities, however, said it had handed the Rwandan national an expulsion order in 2019, but he remained in the country.

Prosecutors alleged that in July 2020, he set fire to Nantes cathedral adding that the blaze engulfed the inside of the 15th-century cathedral, destroying a grand organ, stained-glass windows and a painting.

However, local prosecutors leading the investigation are indicating that the killing is not being treated as an act of terrorism.

BFM TV reported that the Rwandan had received treatment in a psychiatric hospital in July 2020.

Marine Le Pen, far-right leader tweeted that “so in France you can be an illegal immigrant, torch Nantes cathedral, never be expelled and re-offend by murdering a priest.

“What’s happening in our country is unprecedented: the total failure of the state.”

Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin wrote on Twitter “all my support to Catholics in our country after the dramatic killing of a priest in the Vendee.

I’m headed there.”

Observers said the killing would raise pressure on President Emmanuel Macron over his security and immigration policy, eight months out from a presidential election that would see his biggest challenge come from the far-right. 

More from Peoples Gazette

Uche Secondus

Politics

Despite crack in party, PDP begins online registration of members

The party said more than a million Nigerians have indicated interest to join the party, less than 24 hours after its logo was put online during the test run.

Former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha

Politics

Ogun traditional ruler withdraws Rochas Okorocha’s chieftaincy title, cancels installation ceremony

The traditional ruler said his decision to withdraw the chieftaincy title was not due to hatred for the former governor.

Pere BBN

Showbiz

BBNaija: Pere wins head of house challenge

Pere was declared the winner of the challenge by Biggie after he defeated 22 other contestants.

Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) chairman, Muhammad M. Nami

Economy

Court declares collection of VAT, income tax by FG unconstitutional

The court declared Rivers the rightful body to receive personal income tax and VAT emanating from the state.

NSCDC

Kano

100 NSCDC personnel train on weapons handling, psychological evaluation

The regular personnel were exposed to psychological profiling; forensic evaluation of arms bearing and intensive weapons handling.

PDP governors

Politics

PDP governors to meet stakeholders on Tuesday over crack in party

The meeting was called following the resignation of seven national deputy officers of the party over the national chairman’s ‘mishandling’ of party affairs.