Terror returns to Paris: Dramatic moment robot checks the body of an ISIS fanatic for explosives after he was shot dead as he ran towards police station wearing a fake suicide vest
The Moroccan knifeman wearing a fake suicide belt who was shot dead trying to attack a police station in Paris today was carrying a letter in which he pledged allegiance to Islamic State.
Sallah Ali had been trying to enter the police station in Barbes, northern Paris, shouting 'Allahu Akbar' and threatening officers with a knife on the anniversary of the Charlie Hebdo attacks.
The 20-year-old convicted thief was carrying a mobile phone and a sheet of paper showing the black flag of ISIS - and claims of responsibility written in Arabic, according to officials in France.
Shot dead: Sallah Ali had been trying to enter the police station in Barbes, northern Paris, shouting 'Allahu Akbar' and threatening officers with a knife on the anniversary of the Charlie Hebdo attacks
Taken out: Ali, 20, was carrying a mobile phone and a sheet of paper showing the black flag of Islamic State
Weapon: This zoomed-in version of the same photo shows a knife lying on the ground near Ali
Investigation: After searching the body, French police confirmed that the man was wearing a belt made out to look like a suicide vest, but which was a fake and did not contain explosives
Guarding the streets: Police are pictured tonight patrolling the area near the shooting in northern Paris
Paris prosecutor Francois Molins said: 'A mobile phone and a piece of paper, on which appear the Daesh (ISIS) flag and a clear written claim in Arabic, were found on the individual.’
A police union source said Ali, who is originally from Casablanca, was wearing a belt made out to look like a suicide vest - but a bomb disposal unit has since confirmed that it was a fake.
Police have cleared hundreds of people from the area, which has a high percentage of residents with a multi-ethnic or immigrant background, over fears that other assailants could be at large.
Killed: Ali can be seen wearing the apparent 'suicide vest' outside of the police station in northern Paris today
A Paris police official said officers are viewing the incident outside the Goutte d'Or commissariat - close to the Gare du Nord Eurostar hub - as 'more likely terrorism' than a standard criminal act.
Earlier, Luc Poignant, a police union official, said Ali may have been wearing an explosives vest, and cried out 'Allahu Akbar' or 'God is great' in Arabic.
A witness said he had heard 'two or three shots' this morning, before the man was on the ground. Ali was said to have 'sworn allegiance' to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the reclusive leader of ISIS.
Fear on the streets: An armed police officer secures a street after Ali was shot dead outside the police station
In discussion: French riot police check pedestrians as they secure the area after the man was shot dead
Response in action: French police are seen near the Rue de la Goutte d'Or in the north of Paris today
He had been sleeping rough in Paris, but in 2013 had been arrested for theft in Sainte-Maxime, the upmarket French Riviera seaside resort. His fingerprints were recorded at the time.
His body, dressed in light blue jeans, a grey combat-style jacket and black boots, could be seen lying outside the police station until well into the afternoon.
'He was clearly obsessed with Islamic State, and its leaders,' said an investigating source. 'This was made very clear from the piece of paper found.'
The source added: 'At around 11.30am, the man appeared outside the police station and showed off his kitchen knife. He was told to get back, but refused. Shots were fired and he died instantly.’
By 1pm, bomb disposal experts could be seen using a robotic device to check Ali's corpse for explosives. Sniffer dogs were also present.
They are said to have found a 'small package with electric wires hanging out of it', said another source, working for Paris police.
Terror alert: French police check a pedestrian as they secure the area after the man was shot dead in Paris
Probe: A bomb disposal unit investigates Ali's body after reports that he was seen wearing a 'suicide vest'
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