By Esra Taskin
PARIS (AA) - A Frenchman accused of shooting dead his Tunisian neighbor in a suspected racially motivated attack in a small village in southern France was set to appear before an anti-terrorism judge Thursday, despite denying any hate or terrorist intent.
The suspect, 53-year-old Christophe B., admitted to killing 35-year-old Hichem Miraoui on May 31 in Puget-sur-Argens in the Var region.
He also wounded a 25-year-old Turkish man during the same incident, according to French media outlet BFMTV.
While in custody, the suspect claimed he did not act out of racist or extremist motives. However, France's National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's Office has called for a formal investigation into the killing on possible terrorism-related grounds.
Police were alerted by a woman believed to be the suspect's partner. Officers arrested Christophe B. shortly after a brief pursuit, during which he attempted to flee by car. A search of his vehicle revealed several firearms.
Local prosecutors in Draguignan initially opened an investigation into the incident as a racially motivated homicide. The case has since drawn national attention amid growing concerns over racist violence in France.