Tunisian man kills three in brutal church attack in Nice

In France, on October 29, 2020, a Tunisian man named Brahim Aouissaoui staged a tragic attack at a basilica located in the city of Nice, resulting in the deaths of three individuals. The victims included Nadine Vincent, 60, Simone Barreto, a 44-year-old French-Brazilian woman, and 55-year-old church worker Vincent Loquès. The police, who quickly responded to the scene, shot and seriously injured Aouissaoui as he lunged at them wielding a knife while shouting 'Allahu Akbar.' Following the attack, Aouissaoui was reported to have undergone two surgeries and was placed in intensive care. Despite the gravity of his actions, he claimed to have no memory of the events that transpired, leading to questions regarding his mental state at the time of the attack. This incident was part of a series of attacks that occurred in France during the autumn of 2020, which were attributed to Islamic extremism. The attack raised security concerns across France, prompting the government to elevate its security alert to the maximum level in the face of these terrorist threats. Brahim Aouissaoui was ultimately charged with murder and attempted murder in connection with a terrorist undertaking and faced a potential life sentence. The attack also reignited tensions between France and the Muslim community worldwide, amid ongoing debates surrounding the country's policies against Islamic radicalism. In the aftermath of the attack, investigators found that Aouissaoui had been planning the attack for several weeks. He was reportedly aware of threats against France communicated by extremist media close to al-Qaida. Aouissaoui exhibited erratic behavior during his detention, and psychiatrists determined that his claimed memory loss was likely a defense mechanism to avoid culpability rather than an actual psychological disorder. His case highlights ongoing issues regarding the radicalization of individuals and the domestic security challenges faced by France. The trial against Aouissaoui began on February 10, 2025, at a special criminal court in Paris. Throughout the trial, he was the only defendant present, with no accomplices identified. His actions and subsequent trial are part of a larger narrative concerning national security and the fight against terrorism in France, particularly as the nation grapples with its legacy of previous attacks linked to extremism, including those targeting the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo and the kosher supermarket in early 2015.