A Syrian refugee accused of stabbing a young British girl and three other children in the French Alps has received preliminary charges of attempted murder.
The group of children, aged between 22 months and three years, and two elderly adults, were attacked at a lakeside park in Annecy, south-east France, on Thursday.
A 31-year-old man, who has permanent residency in Sweden, will appear in court later on Saturday, regional prosecutor Line Bonnet-Mathis told a press conference.
The suspect’s name has not officially been released and he will be remanded in custody pending further investigation.
In a translated statement, Ms Bonnet-Mathis said: “The prosecution service of Annecy immediately opened a case and the Central Directorate of the Judicial Police have also been involved.
“The assailant at 9.47am was put into custody.
“The prosecution service of Annecy opened a judicial case for attempted murder. The prosecution service put the assailant in provisional custody.
“And this afternoon he was going to be taken to court and he will appear before the judge.”
The suspect was earlier moved from a police station in Annecy, a short walk from where the incident took place.
Ms Bonnet-Mathis said the victims are no longer in a life-threatening condition.
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