Drivers Of Crowd Crash Cars In France Allegedly Radicalized

JAKARTA - The driver who crashed his car into a crowd in western France is suspected of "self-radicalizing" and has an "explicit religious reference" at his home.

"Based on a number of factors present in this individual, and the fact that he actually shouted 'Allahu Akbar', there are religious references in his case that are quite clear and explicit," said Interior Minister Laurent Nunez.

"Allahu Akbar" in Arabic means "God is great".

However, Nunez said it was not clear at this stage whether the attack on Wednesday, which injured five people on Oleron Island off the coast of France's Atlantic, was religious.

"It is the national anti-terrorism prosecutor's office that will determine through a psychiatric evaluation - which was carried out yesterday after two searches - and a review of telephone recordings, whether these elements are the triggers for the violence we have witnessed," Nunez said.

Contacted by Reuters, the national anti-terrorism prosecutor said it was still playing an observer at this stage. Currently, the investigation is being handled by the local prosecutor's office in La Rochelle.

The 35-year-old suspect is a French resident who lives in Oleron. The perpetrator was previously known to the police for minor crimes including driving in a drunken state and drug-related offenses, officials said.

Two of those injured in the attack are still in critical condition.