This judicial investigation is open for attempted assassinations in connection with a terrorist enterprise, according to the same source, confirming information from France Info. On December 30, 2021, Frenchman Philippe Boutron was seriously injured in an explosion that hit his vehicle in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia’s second city. Five other people were also on board. A source familiar with the matter had indicated in February that the only possible explanation for the origin of the explosion was the installation of an “improvised explosive device”.
The National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office (Pnat), which had opened a preliminary investigation on January 4 for attempted assassinations in connection with a terrorist enterprise, had moved to Saudi Arabia at the end of January – beginning of February. He was accompanied by investigators from the General Directorate of Homeland Security (DGSI) and technicians from the technical and scientific police, who were able to take samples from the vehicle and reach this conclusion.
Investigators are “certain that the explosion was criminal, but there has been no claim,” a source familiar with the matter told AFP in mid-November. According to this source, “the investigation mainly carried out by the Saudis did not lead”. The Saudi authorities spoke of an “accident”. But Paris stressed from the start that “the hypothesis of a criminal act” was not ruled out.
At the time of the explosion, Philippe Boutron was driving towards the stadium where checks were held on the cars to take part in the rally-raid, which began two days later. “There was a big shock. We didn’t expect it at all. The bomb was put under the floor (of his assistance vehicle, editor’s note) and I took the floor under my legs, ”he told France Bleu Orléans at the end of January. “He’s starting to recover well, he’s not 100% on his leg yet, but almost. His rehabilitation is going pretty well and he will be at the start of the Dakar normally again in one or two years,” rally-raid boss David Castera told AFP last week. Solicited by us at the beginning of December, the family of Philippe Boutron did not wish to accede to our requests for interviews with the victim.