At a time when we are shocked by the events in Las Vegas and the attack at the Marseille railway station one wonders what the intelligence bodies really know about possible terrorists. Apparently the killer in Las Vegas was off the radar, owning 40 guns being normal in Nevada. Similarly the man who fatally attacked two women in Marseille was "known" to the law authorities, but as a petty criminal. With up to seven different identities the man had a Tunisien passport, but had lived in France for 10 years illegally. He was arrested 2 days before the attacks suspected of theft. But as nobody was available at the prefecture to sign a notice to quit the territory (it was after all Friday afternoon) the police were not able to send him to a detention centre and released him, dropping any charges.
Twenty four hours later this petty criminal was an ISIS inspired killer. Despite his record, despite his illegal status, the anti-terrorism intelligence police had no reason to take interest in him. In truth it seems that it was not worth the cost and work to detain and deport him. And to think that genuine refugees are being sent back to countries where their lives are in danger.
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