The Paris prosecutor's office launched an investigation after 9 pig heads were discovered outside several mosques in the Paris metropolitan area on 9/9, raising concerns about rising Islamophobia. Pork is forbidden in Islam, as the animal is considered unclean.

On 10/9, the Paris prosecutor's office reported that a farmer in Normandy told investigators he sold several pig heads to two individuals in a vehicle "appearing to have Serbian license plates." Images were also obtained of two men driving the vehicle to Paris and leaving the pig heads at several mosques.

Authorities believe the act was intended to "cause unrest" in France.

Local officials meet with members of the Muslim community after a pig's head was found at the entrance of the Islah Mosque in Seine-Saint-Denis, a suburb of Paris, on 9/9. Photo: AFP

Local officials meet with members of the Muslim community after a pig's head was found at the entrance of the Islah Mosque in Seine-Saint-Denis, a suburb of Paris, on 9/9. Photo: AFP

According to the prosecutor's office, the two suspects "likely used phone subscriptions registered in Croatia" and crossed the French-Belgian border on the morning of 9/9 after leaving the pig heads.

Paris Police Chief Laurent Nunez said police are investigating the incident as incitement to hatred, aggravated by racial or religious discrimination. He noted similarities with previous cases involving "foreign interference."

In early June, three Serbians were charged with vandalizing Jewish sites in France. France has the largest Muslim community among European Union (EU) member states and the third-largest Jewish community globally, after Israel and the US.

According to the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights, several member states have seen a rise in "Islamophobia" and antisemitism since the conflict in the Gaza Strip began in 10/2023.

Huyen Le (According to AFP)