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1st LD Writethru: Probing shows Nice attacker's "recent interest" to radical movement, but no evidence of links to IS

Xinhua, July 19, 2016 Adjust font size:

The investigation into the truck attack in the southern French city of Nice, showed the attacker's "certain, recent interest in radical jihadist movements," but no evidence have been found on his links with the Islamic State (IS), Paris prosecutor Francois Molins said on Monday.

"If there are no elements in the investigation at this stage suggesting an allegiance to Islamic State nor links of individuals with the group ... he (Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel) showed certain recent interest in radical jihadist movements," Molins told reporters.

The investigation also showed that the attack was "premeditated." Bouhlel, who drove a heavy truck into crowd celebrating Bastille Day, had planned his action days before July 14 after surveillance cameras showed him rehearsing the path that he would take, the prosecutor added.

With no apparent interest in religion, the Franco-Tunisian man had been growing his beard and told his entourage that it was for religious reasons and that he could not understand why the Islamic State could not have its own territory, the prosecutor said.

Looking at his phone and computer, investigators found internet searches for information on the attacks mainly in Orlando and the Paris suburb of Magnanville.

Molins added six people close to the truck driver were placed under custody with one of them having received a text from the attacker which mentioned gun purchase.

The Islamic State (IS)-linked news agency Amaq has claimed responsibility for the attack in Nice.

"The executor of the deadly operation in Nice, France, was a soldier of the IS", said Amaq, cited by several French media.

Last Thursday, Bouhlel drove a heavy truck into crowds celebrating Bastille Day in Nice. His truck careered 2 km through mass of revellers before being stopped by police units.

According to official data, 84 people were killed, including 10 kids, 300 others were wounded with scores remain in serious situations. Endit