PARIS – A man with suspected ties to Islamic State extremists who is accused of beheading his boss at a French gas factory has been handed preliminary charges of murder and terrorism ties.
Paris prosecutor’s office spokeswoman Agnes Thibault-Lecuivre said anti-terrorism investigators handed Yassin Salhi the preliminary charges Tuesday.
Salhi was arrested after the attack Friday, which also prompted an explosion and two light injuries. His lawyer says Salhi said he was acting purely for personal reasons when he decapitated his boss after being reprimanded.
READ MORE: Suspected terrorist attacks American-owned gas plant in France
Prosecutor Francois Molins said Tuesday that Salhi had a history of radical Islamic ties dating back to 2003.
Preliminary charges under French law mean that investigators have a strong reason to suspect involvement in a crime, and give them more time for deeper investigation before deciding whether to send the case to trial.
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