An 18-year-old man suspected of planning attacks against women has been charged* by France’s anti-terrorism prosecutors in the country’s first case to be exclusively linked to the “incel” movement, reports RFI.
The suspect, identified as Timothy G., was arrested near a high school in the Saint-Étienne region carrying two knives in his bag. Sources close to the case told the French press agency AFP that he intended to target women and openly identified with the “incel” ideology.
“Incel” is an English acronym for “involuntary celibates” — men who believe they are rejected by women and harbour resentment towards them and feminism, which they blame for their personal failures.
The National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office (PNAT) confirmed on Tuesday that an investigation has been opened against the 18-year-old, who self-identifies with the incel movement.
Timothy G. has been charged with terrorist criminal conspiracy with intent to commit one or more violent crimes against persons and has been remanded in custody, the PNAT said.
Read more of this report from RFI.
* Editor's note: Under a change to the French legal system introduced in 1993, a magistrate can decide if a suspect should be 'placed under investigation' (mis en examen), which is a status one step short of being charged (inculpé), if there is 'serious or concordant' evidence that they committed a crime. Some English-language media describe this status, peculiar to French criminal law, as that of being charged. In fact, it is only at the end of an investigation that a decision can be made to bring charges, in which case the accused is automatically sent for trial.