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French police identify second terrorist in Rouen Church attack

PARIS, July 28 (KUNA) -- Investigators into the attack against a small French church south of Rouen, Normandy, two days ago have identified the second terrorist who claimed he was operating for so-called Islamic State (IS), prosecutors and media sources said.
The second attacker was identified by his DNA as Abdelmalek Petitjean, a 19-year-old French-born national from the Savoie mountain region in southeastern France, according to statements from the prosecutor's office.
"France Info" radio also reported that Petitjean was recently put on the "S" list here, a security monitoring category for likely terrorist suspects and those who have been active with terror networks.
The radio said that Petitjean had tried to get to Syria to fight with IS but had been detained in Turkey, sent back to France and placed on the watch list.
Otherwise, he had no record of conviction or arrest for terrorist activities.
Petitjean was shot dead by police on Tuesday alongside another 19-year-old, Adel Kermish, after they had attacked the church in a small locality south of Rouen and killed the priest during a mass service and gravely wounded one other person.
Kermish also had been placed on the "S" security list but had been released on bail pending trial for terrorist activities and twice trying to get to Syria. (end) jk.haq