An Orthodox priest shot dead in Lyon

On Saturday afternoon, an Orthodox priest was seriously wounded by bullets in front of his church, in the 7th arrondissement in Lyon. 

Lthe Orthodox priest of Greek nationality, Nicolas Kakavelakis, was hit by gunfire on Saturday afternoon. The man in his fifties was found by "residents and a patrol of the municipal police" reports the press release from the Lyon prosecutor's office, at the back door of his church.

The Prosecutor of the #Republic de #Lyon takes stock of the event which took place at the end of the afternoon in # Lyon7 (I.e. pic.twitter.com/OBCdW6S4Vt

- Prefect of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes et du Rhône region (@prefetrhone) October 31, 2020

The victim, father of three children, was seriously injured, his vital prognosis is engaged.

Tonight, our prayers go to Father Nicolas #Kakavelakis, priest of the Church #orthodox Greek #Lyon , father of 3 children.
So that he can hold on and get out of it. 🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/wURUprj7Qe

- ISLEOFSKYE (@ ISLEOFSKY4) October 31, 2020

The Greek foreign ministry denounced on Twitter an "attack against a member of the Orthodox clergy of Greek origin", it also indicated to be in contact with the "competent French authorities".

We denounce the attack against a member of the Orthodox clergy of Greek origin, near the Church of the Annunciation of the Virgin in Lyon.@GreeceMFA is in contact with the competent French authorities

Press release ➡️ https://t.co/Enq0vRnpnP https://t.co/CpOV3KmfLd

- Ministry of Foreign Affairs (@GreeceMFA) October 31, 2020

The Assembly of Orthodox Bishops of France also referred to "an attack" in a Press release published on October 31, condemning "these acts of violence which threaten life and propagate a general climate of insecurity".

If no lead has yet been ruled out, the assault has still not been claimed two days after the incident. An investigation was opened by the Lyon public prosecutor's office for “attempted murder” and entrusted to the Interregional Directorate of the Judicial Police of Lyon.

CP

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