WORLD
5 staff members taken hostage at Arles Prison in France
Baku, January 3, AZERTAC
An inmate at Arles Prison in Bouches-du-Rhone in southern France has held five individuals hostage, including four medical staff and a prison officer, local authorities confirmed on Friday.
The detainee, identified as 37-year-old Irwing S., is reportedly armed with improvised weapons described as "artisan spikes," Le Parisien reported.
Law enforcement officials have deployed the raid intervention unit, while police teams have secured the prison perimeter. Regional Intervention and security teams are also on standby.
For the time being, the situation "remains calm," according to a unanimous police source.
Irwing S., currently serving a sentence for armed sexual assault, has a history of violent behavior and impulsivity, according to prison sources.
The incident is believed to be linked to the inmate's dissatisfaction with a denied request for transfer to another detention center.
Authorities have stated that there is no indication of terrorism-related motives in the ongoing standoff.
Meanwhile, French Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin confirmed the incident in a statement on X, noting that "all necessary resources" are being utilized to address the situation.
"I am closely following developments in real time," Darmanin added.
