Yassin Salhi, French Terror Suspect, Took Selfie With Victim’s Decapitated Head

by Olivia Truffaut-WongJune 29, 2015, 5:19 pmNews, News Feed >

Yassin Salhi, the French terror suspect who decapitated his boss as part of a failed terrorist plot reportedly took a selfie with his boss’ severed head.

Yassi Salhi Took Selfie With Boss’ Decapitated Head

Salhi, 35, was arrested Friday, June 26, after allegedly killing his boss, Herve Cornara, and attempting to blow up an Air Products factory owned by the U.S., located outside of Lyon, France. Salhi worked for a delivery business and strangled Cornara before beheading him – exact cause of death remains unknown. He then allegedly took a photo with Cornara’s severed head, covered it in Arabic writing and stuck it onto one of the gates of the factory next to an ISIS flag.

Authorities believe Salhi then attempted to blow up the Air Products factory by running his truck into the building, hoping to ignite the gas canisters inside. A small explosion resulted from the crash, and two people were injured, but Salhi’s plan to blow up the entire factory failed. Salhi’s wife and sister have been arrested with connection with the crime, as was an unidentified man who may have helped him gain access to the Air Products factory.

Salhi reportedly confessed to the crime over the weekend and more details of the gruesome crime have emerged. After beheading his boss, Salhi reportedly used WhatsApp to send a photo of himself and his boss’ head to a friend. The recipient’s account is registered to a Canadian phone number and reportedly belongs to French national Sebastien-Younes, who allegedly has ties to Syria and is believed to have connections to ISIS.

Failed French Terror Plot

Salhi has a documented history with radical Islam, and was investigated by authorities between 2011 and 2014 for possible links to radical Salafist groups, but no concrete evidence was found. French President François Hollande was quick to call Salhi’s acts a “terror attack,” but now investigators aren’t so sure. “We don’t know whether we’re dealing with a fundamentalist who flipped or a real terrorist. Investigators are wondering whether this isn’t just a simple criminal act,” said a source.

Article by Olivia Truffaut-Wong

Olivia Truffaut-Wong was born and raised in Berkeley, California, where she developed her love of all things entertainment. After moving to New York City to earn her degree in Film Studies, she stayed on the East Coast to follow her passion and become an entertainment writer. She lives on a diet of television, movies and food.