French authorities arrest suspect in connection with 1982 Jewish restaurant bombing

French Authorities Arrest Suspect Linked to 1982 Paris Attack

A man suspected of organizing a deadly attack on a Jewish restaurant in Paris has been arrested and placed in custody by French authorities. Mahmoud Khader Abed Adra, also known as Hicham Harb, was surrendered to French officials after being handed over by Palestinian authorities.

Adra’s arrest follows an extradition request filed by French antiterrorism prosecutors last year. He had been held in the West Bank by Palestinian security forces before being flown to France on Thursday. The suspect is believed to have been involved in a 1982 attack on Jo Goldenberg, a Jewish-owned restaurant in Paris’s Marais district.

According to reports, three to five men threw a grenade into the restaurant and opened fire on the street outside, resulting in six fatalities and 22 injuries. French authorities have confirmed that Adra is one of two suspects already in custody, with a trial scheduled to proceed.

The extradition was facilitated by Palestinian officials, who handed Adra over to French authorities. This move has been linked to France’s recent recognition of Palestinian statehood. The Palestinian Authority’s cooperation with French authorities has been praised by President Emmanuel Macron, who stated that it reflects a commitment by President Mahmoud Abbas to work on counterterrorism efforts.

The suspect’s lawyer has expressed concerns about the extradition process, stating that it violates Palestinian fundamental law.

Source: Al Jazeera