“He was overpowered by a firefighter as he was trying to prise open a bottle of acetone in an apparent suicidal bid to destroy the factory. Police then found the severed head of his boss, Cornara, tied to the gates of the factory near two flags on which were written the Muslim profession of faith.” Now he is saying that he “had wanted to kill himself and stage a media coup by dressing it up as a terrorist act.” Well, all right. That may be. But whatever the truth may be, clearly jihad terror was part of his frame of reference. If he was really just angry with his boss and wanting to commit suicide, he didn’t just shoot the boss and then turn the gun on himself. Instead, he beheaded the boss, in accord with the Qur’an’s command, “When you meet the unbelievers, strike the necks” (47:4), carried flags which proclaimed the Islamic profession of faith, and tried to destroy the factory altogether.
Even if all this was precipitated by his personal crisis and was just all about his anger toward Cornara, to express his anger he turned to jihad. The larger problem that the West refuses to face is that Muslims who are leading perfectly ordinary lives can in times of crisis or difficulty opt to turn to jihad, and the beliefs underlying jihad violence are not being taught against in mosques or Islamic schools in the West.
“French beheading: suspect confesses to boss’s murder but motives unclear,” by Angelique Chrisafis, Guardian, June 28, 2015:
Yassin Salhi, the French lorry driver who decapitated his boss before ramming a vehicle into a chemical plant near Lyon, has confessed to the murder – but his motives remain unclear.
He told detectives he had killed Hervé Cornara in a parking area before arriving at the plant in Saint-Quentin-Fallavier, 18 miles (30km) south of Lyon, where he attempted to cause an explosion on Friday.
Salhi, 35, was transferred to Paris for further questioning on Sunday afternoon. Several French media reported that during questioning he had been “confused” as to the motives behind the attack, citing personal problems linked to family issues and his job.
The TV news channel iTele said Salhi had told police he had wanted to kill himself and stage a media coup by dressing it up as a terrorist act. The news channel said Salhi had told police he had acted alone.
Days before the attack, he was reported to have fallen out with Cornara, 54, the manager of the Lyon-area transportation company where he had been employed on a permanent contract since March. “We don’t know whether we’re dealing with a fundamentalist who flipped or a real terrorist,” one source close to the investigation told Reuters. “Investigators are wondering whether this isn’t just a simple criminal act.”
On Friday morning, Salhi, a married father of three, had rammed his van into the US-owned Air Products chemical factory in what President François Hollande said was a “terrorist” attack designed to blow up the building. He was overpowered by a firefighter as he was trying to prise open a bottle of acetone in an apparent suicidal bid to destroy the factory.
Police then found the severed head of his boss, Cornara, tied to the gates of the factory near two flags on which were written the Muslim profession of faith. The victim’s headless body was found by the van with a knife and a fake pistol lying nearby.
An postmortem examination on Cornara has proved inconclusive, with experts unable to determine whether he was killed before his head was cut off. More tests are being carried out.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Agnes Thibault-Lecuivre, a spokeswoman for the Paris prosecutor’s office, said investigators had not found any foreign connection.
Searches on Salhi’s home turned up no weapons cache, propaganda material or evidence of accomplices. The police established that Salhi used the instant messaging service Whatsapp to send a macabre selfie posing with the severed head to a Canadian telephone number. Investigators have warned that it could be a relay number and the intended recipient could be anywhere in the world.
Salhi was born in the Doubs in north-eastern France to parents of Moroccan and Algerian descent. His father had died when he was a teenager. About a decade ago, Salhi is known to have had contact with a Muslim convert, Frederic Jean Salvi, known as “Ali”, who was suspected of preparing attacks in Indonesia with al-Qaida militants.
Sahli was placed under “discreet” police surveillance in 2006 because of his contact with Salvi, but that surveillance ended in 2008 because, according to the French interior ministry, he “was not known to be in contact with terrorist actors”. The interior minister, Bernard Cazeneuve, said Salhi had been investigated for links to radical Salafists in Lyon, but was not known to have participated in terrorist activities and did not have a criminal record.
French media cited Salhi’s former martial arts instructor as saying the otherwise calm man was subject to such outbursts of rage that other pupils would refuse to spar with him….
Angemon says
A muslim trying to kill himself with the intent of causing destruction? Why, that’s unheard of!!!! sarc./ off…
celtic warriarcanada says
THE PEDOPHILE MOHAMMED beheaded hundreds of Jewish males , enslaved and raped hundreds of Jewish women and little girls . He also Married a 6 year old girl and had sex with her when she was 9 . HOWEVER, HIS MOTIVES REMAIN UNCLEAR !
Alarmed Pig Farmer says
It is an open question what the two did between her sixth year and her ninth birthday. Me, call me a doubting Thomas, but I don’t believe the story that Mohammed kept his hands off her until the ripe old age of nine. There are Hah-Deaths that report the Holy Prophet spent hours of the day alone with her in bed.
One thing, though: the Holy Prophet sure did know how to throw a birthday for children. In that way he was a forebear of Chuck E. Cheese, but without the pinball and video games. And I dunno if the Moslems had invented the balloon yet. But you know what I mean.
Michael Warden says
Muslims have a delightful practice call ” Thighing “. No need to go into details but just use your imagination please.
Oliver says
Yes, and some Muslim scholar released a fatwa a while back saying that was a permitted option if your wife hasn’t gone through puberty. Charming.
Charli Main says
Captured male Jewish prisoners were forced to watch their wives and daughters being raped and brutalised by Mohammed´s thugs, before being beheaded.
Georg says
“Captured male Jewish prisoners were forced to watch their wives and daughters being raped and brutalised by Mohammed´s thugs, before being beheaded.”
The fact that Muhammad chose to include this in the Koran might be creepier than the actual act.
Superlative Evil
Oliver says
In the Koran? I doubt it, more like in the Sira or Hadiths
bill walker says
It’s no wonder that everyone called Muhammad ‘Mr. Nice Guy’
Neil Jennison says
Dear Lord……..can the Guardian sink lower?
Their readers will believe it too!
nathan says
Yes they can.
I don’t suppose anybody at the Guardian would think that he might have got the job to behead the dead man? You know, like it was planned.
I know what you are thinking…. I mean who doesn’t drive to work with a beheading knife and two isis flags in the car? I know I do…. just in case I happen to come across an infidel or two that want beheading.
I don’t really…. they are Templar flags and a sword.
Georg says
“simple criminal act”
Mhm. Real simple . Wasn’t a contrived act at all, obviously all off the cuff and emotional.
Oh, wait. He had been in contact with a Salafist nutcase years ago… Took the time to acquire isis flags. Boss just so happened to be Shi’ite. CUT HIS HEAD OFF. Sent the picture to some Islamonutcase. We get it, it was an elaborate attempt to cloak the ol’ workplace violence with something “random and shocking”.
“We don’t know whether we’re dealing with a fundamentalist who flipped or a real terrorist,”. Um, yea………………………………………………… When will they give it up, already?
Anyone want to lay a bet as to whether he requests on Koran in prison?
Alarmed Pig Farmer says
Do people in England believe this stuff?
Michael Warden says
Only Guardian readers, of which there are many. All live in lovely fluffy bunny ivory towers where they look upon rainbows all day. Probably on something.
jayell says
Are there many Guardian readers? I thought that this ‘liberal’ loony lefty rag was in deep financial trouble and only just keeping afloat through income from job adverts from the BBC (another obnoxious parody of respectable institiution, about to get its come-uppance from Cameron & Co).
sencit says
No!! It’s the absurd Guardian’s political correctness, to which all jounalists are expected to conform.
Shane says
In Robert Spencer’s book, The Truth About Muhammad, he states that Muhammad mounted her before he had intercourse with her and rubbed his penis against her thighs until he climaxed (thighing). What a guy!
gerard says
When i hear of a killing I just need to know the name of the killer. Nuf sed.
Georg says
At another counterjihad site they have a “Mohammad coefficient”. Say a guy name Muhammad commits a terrorist act, or just acts like an Islamic supremacist in general, the deed/s will be given a Muhammad coefficient of 1. Say there are two guys, Abdul and Mohammad, they do some Islamofavor for the world, the act/s would be given a Mohammad coefficient of 0.5. Say there are four guys (strictly a hypothetical), Ayatollah Khomenei and Osama Bin Laden and Abu Bakr al Baghdadi and Mohammad Atta, the act/s would be given a Mohammad coefficient of 0.25. It’s a good warm up for Sudoku.
Georg says
Sorry, meant to point out the coefficient can be null. For example, if Moe, Larry, Rumpelstiltskin, Curly and Saddam Hussein launch scuds at Israel there’d be a Mohammad coefficient of 0.
The Holy Grail, so to speak, is to figure out the Mohammed coefficient of all terrorist acts and to compare that with the coefficient of males under the age of 40 named Muhammad in Great Britain.
Westman says
Way back in math, we learned that if A=C and B=C, then A=B. In this case,
Fundamentaslist + Flipped out = Terrorist Act,
Real Terrorist = Terrorist Act,
therefore,
Fundamentalist + Flipped out = Real Terrorist.
Georg says
I follow. Such a ludicrous statement marking what is really a distinction without a difference, but that’s the state of the [non]discourse on the subject.
gerard says
“Salhi was….. of Moroccan and Algerian descent”
“Police then found the severed head of his boss, Cornara, tied to the gates of the factory near two flags on which were written the Muslim profession of faith.”
“About a decade ago, Salhi is known to have had contact with a Muslim convert, Frederic Jean Salvi, known as “Ali”, who was suspected of preparing attacks in Indonesia with al-Qaida militants.”
Mon Dieu! This is a tough one! At least there’s no connection with any religion! Definitely a case for Inspector Clouseau. A good thing the Guardian is pushing for answers!
ECAW says
Haha. Inspector Clouseau not needed though.
Just a case of everyday workplace violence.
Georg says
“workplace violence”
This just in: It’s now been determined it was “random and shocking workplace violence”.
gerard says
The motives behind the Guardian’s obtuse reporting remain unclear. Unclear to the Guardian, that is. Clear to anyone with “eyes to see”.
Babs says
No, the Guardian nailed its objectionable colours to the mast of “poor oppressed Muslims” decades ago.
That being the case it reports selectively, and often lies about Islam and Islamic atrocities. It even invites cardholding members of Islamist terror groups as well as distinctly iffy Muslims to whom daft UK governments have given power to bleat about “Islamofauxbia.”
I wouldn’t have it in my house unless to wipe my feet on as I came in from my garden.
This is an example of a typical Guardian hero, the aptly-named Mads Gilbert
http://ukmediawatch.org/2015/06/25/guardian-highlights-doctor-who-supported-911-attacks/
ECAW says
I make a point of reading it every day just to see what the enemy is up to:
https://ecawblog.wordpress.com/2014/08/12/are-you-guardian/
Arthur says
An postmortem examination on Cornara has proved inconclusive, with experts unable to determine whether he was killed before his head was cut off. More tests are being carried out.
I know the Guardian doesn’t want to jump to conclusions, but I’m going to go out on a limb and propose that we rule out Cornara was killed after his head was cut off.
gerard says
Maybe he cut his own head off?
Babs says
And then put up the ISIS flag as a protest after he was dead in order to incriminate Muslims. Anything is possible in the la la land of al-Graundiad
quotha raven says
re: “An postmortem examination on Cornara has proved inconclusive, with experts unable to determine whether he was killed before his head was cut off. More tests are being carried out….but I’m going to go out on a limb and propose that we rule out Cornara was killed after his head was cut off.
Arthur – Thanks for making this brill point…LOL. How, HOW could anyone publish such an absurd sentence? This is PC elevated to brain-dead. Hold on tight to that limb, Arthur, we need you around here: Through the Looking Glass! Cheers! Quotha R
Don McKellar says
Only in the LTZ — Leftist Twilight Zone — world of the Guardian and PM Cameron, do such things involving a moslem “remain unclear”. You could stand in front of them with a Koran and bitch slap them with each passage you read directly from it which inspires and commands these things, and yet they would remain ignorant and confused.
Michael Warden says
This the best thing to do with a Koran :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htshvId51UE
Enjoy !!
Joseph says
@ Michael Warden
She touched bacon to the Koran? Now the bacon is unfit to eat.
Poor bacon.
Georg says
Here’s another recipe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6yKE-PLWK8
gerard says
Whether anything is ever clear to the Guardian or will always remain unclear, is unclear.
gerard says
I hope that’s clear.
Champ says
Guardian: Motives of Muslim who beheaded man “remain unclear”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Remain unclear? That’s code for …”we’re too *afraid* to state the TRUTH: that this murder was connected to islam!”
ICH says
I WILL NEVER APOLOGIZE FOR THE CRUSADES AGAIN.
This is a religion of evil doers.
Who is this Anjem Choudry clown ?!!!
I watched a video where he grilled the cop for wearing a wrist
band hailing our soldiers. Dude took it off !!!!!!
Is it time for Crusades#2 ?
ICH says
This is insane.
Its almost as if you have to declare war against ISLAM.
But our politicians wont do it.
They arent Winston Churchill types. They are scared lawyers and rich people.
They are not patriots. ISLAM knows our kids are wimpy.
They know the media gives them a free pass.
They blatantly exploit it. They even talk loudly and evil in your parks UK !!!!!
If that was USA someone would of shit him already.
Baucent says
“during questioning he was confused as to motives”
Well that simply means he is lying and trying to distance himself from a lengthy terrorism sentence. Next we’ll be hearing he was listening to “voices in his head”.
gerard says
His electronic tag spoke to him.
TruthWFree says
I am so sick of stupid people who just can’t come to say “Islam is the problem…the root cause”. We all know that…the authorities just don’t have the guts to says it…if they are that stupid, we need to get new leaders who will say it.
gerard says
“Islam is the problem…the root cause”. We all know that…
How many in fact know it? I mean in the general public. They have been misinformed by the Media for years.
quotha raven says
Move along, folks, nothing to see here. Just another case of workplace violence….
quotha raven says
“…The larger problem that the West refuses to face is that Muslims who are leading perfectly ordinary lives can in times of crisis or difficulty opt to turn to jihad, and the beliefs underlying jihad violence are not being taught against in mosques or Islamic schools in the West.”
This must be an editorial oversight or a typo…surely “The larger problem that the West refuses to face is… the beliefs underlying jihad violence ARE being taught against in mosques or Islamic schools in the West.”
quotha raven says
“the beliefs underlying jihad violence are not being taught AGAUNST in mosques or Islamic schools in the West.”
Oops. Sorry. I missed the word “against” in my rush to conclude the usual…qr
R Cole says
Or… he did not have a backup plan – because he excepted to die – in the explosion.
And what his is doing now – is securing the freedom of his wife and family – who might be implicated in his jihadist attack.
He has left no evidence in the home – and his cover story is the more benign – ‘going postal’.
It is probably likely he expected to succeed – if it were not for that pesky fireman!
::
Who would think – I’ll behead my boss – hang is head and the Islamic flag – on a fence – take the time to take a beheading selfie – all because you are having trouble in your marriage/ personal life!!
Even the smallest kid would know that doesn’t add up!
gravenimage says
“We don’t know whether we’re dealing with a fundamentalist who flipped or a real terrorist”
………………………….
This is what we’re reduced to parsing now. Good grief.
And as Mr. Spencer notes, if he had just wanted his boss dead, he could have just shot the poor man, and then turned the gun on himself—this is a lot quicker and less apt to be detected than beheading the guy, then taking a selfie with the severed head and ISIS flags.
And then, of course, he tried to blow the factory up.
The fact is that this wasn’t ‘dressed up as a terrorist act’—it *was* a terrorist act.
Posing with a severed head and ISIS flags is iconic Jihad terrorism. He also doesn’t say why he thought things would “look better” as a terrorist act than as simple “workplace violence”.
underbed cat says
I think many companies, factories anywhere, if there is employment there may be trouble. I know jobs from what one would think should be a high security job, to clerks at stores to ship building, plane assembly all could have someone with devout” religion of peace” ideas that could suddenly transform. This is so really frightening. I think that one possible attempt at security would be to inform companies of these possible sudden “jihads”. But I know that is not the reality. Since many are owned or managed by potential problem people.
underbed cat says
It will interesting to see what happens in Greece…..it is having a financial crisis that may be used to “disrupt” the country, cause chaos hopefully not, but Isis never lets up.Justice and Fairness I am not sure how those words will be used. Just like the words fighting “slavery”, another concern of the “religion of piece” the first slave traders. Masterful deception continues.