France's Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu became the victim of a shocking physical assault on Tuesday afternoon during what should have been a routine public engagement.
The incident occurred as Mr Lecornu was walking through a market in the picturesque town of Tarbes, located in the Hautes-Pyrénées region of southwestern France. Without warning, a man identified only as Damien approached the minister and delivered a sharp headbutt to his face.
Eyewitnesses described a scene of sudden violence that left security personnel and bystanders stunned. The minister's security detail immediately intervened, apprehending the assailant within moments of the attack.
Despite the shocking nature of the assault, Mr Lecornu demonstrated remarkable composure. He briefly paused to recover before continuing with his scheduled visit, determined not to let the incident disrupt his public duties.
Local prosecutor Olivier Christen confirmed that the alleged attacker, a 31-year-old local resident, has been taken into custody. The suspect is expected to face serious charges for violence against a public official.
This alarming breach of security raises urgent questions about the safety of public figures during open engagements. The incident has sparked widespread condemnation across the French political spectrum, with officials from all parties expressing solidarity with the minister.
Mr Lecornu, who previously served as Minister for Overseas Territories before assuming his current role in 2022, is known for his hands-on approach to public engagements. This attack highlights the increasing risks faced by politicians during direct public interactions.
