Strasbourg Prison Break Attempt Foiled: Alleged Arras Attacker Among Those Detained
An investigation has been launched after three detainees at a Strasbourg, France, remand center were found to have been preparing an escape, including Mohammed Mogouchkov, the man indicted for the 2023 terrorist assassination of teacher Dominique Bernard in Arras.
Authorities in the Bas-Rhin region uncovered evidence of the planned escape on Tuesday, July 22, after a maintenance worker noticed damage to cell doors. A subsequent search revealed a saw blade within the cells occupied by the three inmates, all of whom were being held in isolation.
Details Remain Sparse as Investigation Proceeds
The Strasbourg prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation into the attempted escape, but details remain limited. “The facts are still fairly vague at this stage,” a spokesperson for the prosecution stated. The initial alert was raised by a technician performing work at the Strasbourg-Elsau remand center.
In addition to Mogouchkov, Valentin Linder, a former president of the far-right group “Social Bastion,” is also in custody. The identity of the third detainee remains undisclosed, though authorities report he is known for involvement in organized crime.
Background: The Arras Attack and Previous Convictions
Mohammed Mogouchkov, a 20-year-old Russian national at the time of the attack, is accused of fatally stabbing Dominique Bernard, a 57-year-old teacher, in Arras on October 13, 2023. He allegedly pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group prior to the attack and is awaiting trial.
Valentin Linder, approximately 30 years old, was sentenced to three years in prison in April for orchestrating an ambush against his former brother-in-law. His past leadership of the ultra-right “Social Bastion” group highlights the complex ideological landscape surrounding this case.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to determine the full extent of the planned escape and any potential external support the detainees may have received.
