Besançon courthouse attack
Far-right terrorist attack in France in 1970
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A terrorist attack targeted the Besançon courthouse on 9 May 1970. It was perpetrated with a bomb by two men from the OAS and UDR movements, in a context of the resurgence of far-right violence in France.
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| Besançon courthouse attack | |
|---|---|
The Besançon courthouse, in 2021 | |
 Location of Besançon, in France | |
| Location | 47.2374843°N 6.0236485°E Besançon, France |
| Date | 9 May 1970 10:30 pm (Paris) |
| Weapons | IED |
| Deaths | 0 |
| Injured | 0 |
| Perpetrator | Right-wing extremists |
No. of participants | Two |
| Motive | Political terrorism |
Attack
On 9 May 1970, at 10:30 pm, the place du Huit-Septembre (September 8 Square) was shaken by an explosion.[1] The Besançon courthouse was just attacked[2][3] with a bomb containing explosives and scrap metal.[1] Damage was substantial but limited: only the porch, the bay windows, and the salle des pas perdus (hall of lost steps), partly classified, were seriously affected.[1] A couple and their baby narrowly escaped the impact, but no one injuries were reported.[1] The mayor, the socialist Jean Minjoz, immediately condemned this act, while the investigation began.[1] Witnesses said they saw a man throw a device through, before escaping in an accomplice's car.[1] At first the attack was attributed to the left,[3][4][5] but two individuals were arrested on 14 May based on the number from their registration plate.[1] They were former soldiers, workers at the Rhodiaceta factory, one was a member of the OAS and the other a member of the UDR[3][6][4][7][8] acting for defiant motives possibly related to access to power through the SAC.[9][10][2] The suspects admitted the facts, while weapons and ammunition were found.[1]