Placed in police custody for the second time Saturday, the volunteer is of rwandan origin, has confessed to having started the fire in the cathedral of Nantes. It is brought into consideration.
After several hours a second time in custody, he eventually confessed. Arrested Saturday, the volunteer of the diocese of the cathedral of Nantes, in charge of closing the site after the departure of the visitors, acknowledged to be the author of the fire which has ravaged the great organ of the building. He has said to the investigators, around 2: 30 a.m. Sunday, “have turned on the three foci of the burning of the cathedral”, as specified by the public prosecutor of Nantes, Pierre Sennès.
The individual was subsequently indicted for “heads to destruction and damage by fire and placed in provisional detention by the judge of freedoms and detention”, has indicated the prosecutor. He faces up to 10 years imprisonment and 150 000 euros fine. Last July 18, a fire was burning in the cathedral of Nantes, and over 120 firefighters were worked to contain the flames.
An act quite unexpected
This man 39-year-old, known under the name of Emmanuel, is part of a group of seven volunteers who take turns to ensure the security of the cathedral, as noted in the Figaro. “It is the same set of keys that goes hand-in-hand and that we keep in the sacristy before going out through another small door with another key,” says the daily the vice-chancellor Hubert Champagne. Of rwandan origin, this volunteer arrived in France there are about four or five years. Each night, when it is charged to close the cathedral, he must be sure to inspect the premises, extinguish the pilot lights, then finally lock the four doors with four different keys.
summer Offer : Take advantage of the special offer 2 months for 1€ I subscribe
READ ALSO >> At the heart of the intervention of firefighters to save the cathedral of Nantes
For members of the diocese, the act of this man is quite unexpected.”I don’t believe for a second that he would have been able to set fire to the cathedral. It is a place he loves. It is even used to mass !”, supported with the Figaro, Jean-Charles Nowak, cleric of the cathedral. Amazement also on the side of the organist Michel Bourcier. “We say hello and good evening for several years. He is extremely courteous and it is a accustomed places”, he said to Ouest France.
Several requests for regularisation rejected
“He is an altar boy. It goes still well with him. It is a Rwandan refugee who has taken the necessary steps to get papers in France. He has my confidence” says, for his part, father Hubert Champagne in Western France. The volunteer has made a number of requests for regularisation supported by the diocese, which remained a dead letter until now.
His residence permit was no longer valid, provides BFM TV. His volunteer work at the cathedral was her only activity. During the masses, it was also the ready as serving as a hotel. It was also the cleaning of the cathedral, note The Paris. Those that have worked have praised its “discretion” and his “kindness”.
READ ALSO >> Notre-Dame : the company involved in a other fire starting recent
To his lawyer, the man regrets his action. “It is in the remorse. A repentance sincere, and detailed. It has been overtaken by events. The investigation will follow its course to clarify the elements,” said Master Chabert in Western France, at the exit of the justice palace of Nantes. “There are still many acts to be done. It is necessary to remember that we are in a framework of criminal and non-criminal. It is necessary to bring things to their true proportions. The down”, he added.
