2 charged with attack on Russian Consulate in France

ISTANBUL

Two researchers from France’s National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) were charged after they admitted attacking the Russian consulate in Marseille, France judicial sources confirmed.

The individuals, identified as an engineer and a chemist, were arrested on Monday during a protest in support of Ukraine after throwing multiple explosive devices into the consulate’s garden, BFMTV reported on Tuesday.

The suspects fled but were arrested during a pro-Ukraine protest on Monday evening. Police identified them using surveillance footage.

Authorities stated that the improvised devices consisted of three 50cl plastic soda bottles, two of which detonated.

Bomb disposal teams were deployed, and consulate staff, including the Russian consul, were confined inside the premises as a precaution. No injuries were reported.

The suspects have been charged with "damaging property using means dangerous to people" and "unauthorized production of explosive and incendiary devices."

The Marseille prosecutor’s office said both suspects cited the Russia-Ukraine war as their motivation.

Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova described the incident as having "signs of a terrorist attack" and urged France to conduct a thorough investigation.

France’s Foreign Ministry condemned the attack and reaffirmed its commitment to diplomatic security.