A 26-year-old woman says she was assaulted in Poissy (Yvelines) on Monday while returning home with her baby, Le Parisien reports. According to the complaint she shared on social media, the attacker allegedly tore off her veil and sprayed her with an unknown liquid. The incident occurred in broad daylight around 4:30 p.m. An investigation is underway, and law enforcement is actively working to identify the suspect, the Yvelines prefecture confirmed. Prefect Frédéric Rose condemned the «violent» assault and spoke with Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, who has faced criticism over his handling of Islamophobic violence. Rose was also scheduled to meet with representatives of the Council of Muslim Institutions of Yvelines (CIMY) on Tuesday evening, amid heightened tensions following the killing of Aboubakar Cissé at the La Grand-Combe mosque and a subsequent march against Islamophobia. Yesterday afternoon, a 26-year-old woman reported being violently assaulted in Poissy. The attacker notably tore off her veil. The victim has filed a complaint. Police services are fully mobilized to find the perpetrator. The prefect of… — Prefect of Yvelines ?? (@Prefet78) April 29, 2025 The CIMY condemned the «climate» that enables such attacks but welcomed the swift response from authorities. Poissy mayor Sandrine Dos Santos (LR) expressed her «strongest indignation» and voiced her support for the victim. MP Karl Olive (Renaissance) also responded, calling for exemplary punishment, while Aurélien Rousseau (Place publique) emphasized that every citizen has the right to protection. According to figures from the Ministry of the Interior, 79 anti-Muslim incidents were recorded between January and March 2025—a 72% increase compared to the same period last year. The ministry partly attributes the rise to improved reporting through cooperation with ADDAM and law enforcement.
