Attentate of Trappes: a list of left-wing personalities found, without a violent plan to target them

A handwritten list of left-wing personalities was discovered at the home of Kevin Tessier, the main suspect of the 23 October racist attack in Trappes and La Verrière, Yvelines. Revealed by RMC-BFMTV and confirmed in particular by RTL, this discovery is distinct from a draft of an established attack: according to the press release of the National Anti-Terrorist Prosecutor's Office (Pnat) reported by several media, "no element" in the proceedings supports "the existence of a violent action project" against the persons mentioned. [S6] [S8] [S9]

Four names, numbers whose authenticity is contested

The names Sandrine Rousseau, Aymeric Caron, David Guiraud and Assa Traoré appeared on a post-it, with telephone numbers. RMC-BFMTV states that it obtained the consent of the interested parties before publishing their identity. The Pnat, quoted by Le Progrès, confirms the discovery of this document on a table of the suspect's home. [S6] [S8]

However, contact information should not be presented as their actual personal numbers. The documents consulted by AFP, cited by Le Nouvel Obs and Le Progrès, indicate that they existed "in open sources" and could correspond to homonyms. RMC-BFMTV states more clearly that the numbers found are not the right ones. These formulations converge on an essential reserve: the identification of persons by name does not guarantee the accuracy of the associated coordinates. [S2] [S6] [S8]

These publications concern the same search and list. Their convergence, however, does not represent as many independent surveys: The New Obs and Progress contain elements consulted by the AFP, while The News relays the initial information of RMC-BFMTV. Some presentations of the functions also diverge: David Guiraud is described as a member of the AFP, but as mayor of Roubaix by RMC. [S2] [S6] [S8] [S10]

Hostile speech, but no demonstrated preparation

In custody, Kevin Tessier allegedly explained that he had retrieved this information from a site listing leaking personal data. When asked about their usefulness, he would have said, "I thought it might be useful one day." He would have justified the choice of these personalities by their political orientation, calling them "leftists" and "enemies of France", while denying having started planning an action against them. His lawyers, asked by the AFP, did not wish to comment. [S2] [S6]

The reported position of the prosecution is therefore not limited to reproducing the suspect's denial: it concerns the absence of elements supporting a violent project against these four persons. This does not make hostile remarks anodizing, but prohibits presenting this list as evidence of an additional prepared attack. Available publications do not describe any specific timetable or means to attack them. [S6] [S7] [S9]

The main investigation concerns the shootings of 23 October, which killed Pengo Bossio Wangi, 26, and wounded seven people. According to RTL, Kévin Tessier was charged on 29 October for murder and attempted assassinations in connection with a terrorist enterprise, with racist aggravating circumstances, and then placed in pre-trial detention. He allegedly admitted to having selected his victims according to their origin or supposed religion, while contesting the terrorist intent. [S2] [S9]

Data subjects request information

With RMC, Assa Traoré said she was shocked and was considering legal action. Sandrine Rousseau accuses the authorities of not warning him, explaining that she would have preferred to learn the existence of the list by the police rather than by the press. Aymeric Caron claims to have received threats that have not been taken seriously for several years, while first expressing concern for the victims of the attack. These statements reflect their concern; they alone do not constitute evidence of an administrative or judicial breach. [S8]

Contacted by RMC, the Ministry of the Interior did not wish to comment and referred to the Pnat's inquiry. The information published does not identify which risk assessments or protective measures have been taken. They raise a concrete question of autonomy and security: how can the persons mentioned assess their exposure and decide on possible approaches, without turning an unestablished threat into certainty? [S8]