France Unbowed MP Farida Amrani was injured on Saturday by a firework mortar while in a hair salon in Évry-Courcouronnes, Essonne. A hooded man entered the establishment and launched a pyrotechnic device at a security camera. The MP, who suffered burns to her thigh, was the only person injured. Investigators are focusing on the possibility of retaliation related to a drug dealing spot located near the salon.
A hooded man bursts into the living room and sets off a mortar.
The incident occurred on Saturday around 11:20 a.m. in a women's beauty salon located on Place des Copains d'Abord, in the heart of the Canal district in Évry-Courcouronnes. Farida Amrani, member of parliament for the first constituency of Essonne, was in this establishment, which she has frequented for several years, notably in the company of her sister.
A hooded individual entered the premises and lit a firework mortar, aiming it at a security camera. The device exploded inside the salon, causing panic among the customers and the 43-year-old manager, who alerted the police.
The 50-year-old MP sustained minor injuries, including burns to her thigh. Other people present in the establishment were not physically harmed.
“We thought we were going to die”: Farida Amrani recounts the panic
The MP described the fear felt at the time of the explosion. "Honestly, we thought we were going to die." She explained that the small size of the salon prevented customers from finding a place to take shelter.
Farida Amrani also recounted how her instinctive reaction was to push her sister away from the danger. "Fortunately, I had time to push my sister, who was present, so she wouldn't be hit ," she stated. The MP explained that the recent security situation, particularly the Trappes attack, had heightened her fear of dying in the attack.
The elected official was able to briefly observe the assailant despite his balaclava. She described him as a young, tall, and thin man wearing a black jacket, light-colored jogging pants, and sneakers. She also stated that she made eye contact with him at the time of the incident.
The theory of a drug-related settling of scores is favored.
Initial findings suggest the attack was a possible act of retaliation linked to a drug dealing spot located near the salon. Police are trying to determine whether the establishment or its security camera was the attacker's true target.
This hypothesis could explain the choice of a firework mortar aimed at the surveillance system. However, it remains to be confirmed by the investigation. At this stage, no established evidence demonstrates that Farida Amrani was personally targeted because of her parliamentary mandate.
The MP herself expressed her astonishment at this attack in a salon frequented by women from the neighborhood. "There are only mothers in this salon. I don't see how a young man would take the risk of injuring his mother or a friend's mother ," she explained.
The case also raises the issue of the use of fireworks mortars in urban violence and delinquency , as these pyrotechnic devices can cause serious injuries when used against people or triggered in enclosed spaces.
An investigation has been opened, the perpetrator is still at large.
The Évry public prosecutor's office has opened an investigation, which has been entrusted to the Territorial Crime Division. Police are tasked with identifying the hooded man, reconstructing his movements, and determining his motives. No arrests had been announced as of Sunday.
Farida Amrani was scheduled to attend Jean-Luc Mélenchon 's rally in Le Bourget on Saturday. She was unable to file a complaint that day and planned to go to the police station on Sunday afternoon.
A member of parliament since 2022 and re-elected in 2024, Farida Amrani represents a constituency that includes Évry-Courcouronnes. A former trade unionist, she notably ran against Manuel Valls in the 2017 legislative elections.
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