The fire at the cathedral in Nantes was arson; the suspect confessed

Paris - The French police have once again arrested a Rwandan man in connection with the fire at the Gothic cathedral in Nantes, whom they had already investigated a week ago, and charged him with arson. This was reported today by the AFP agency. The 39-year-old refugee, who serves as a volunteer with the local diocese, has reportedly confessed to the act according to the newspaper Le Monde.

The Cathedral of Saint Peter and Saint Paul in the heart of Nantes caught fire last Saturday, and the blaze seriously damaged the original stained glass windows from the 16th century and destroyed the organ. Investigators suspected arson because the fire spread through the church from three different locations. At the same time, the police found no signs that anyone had entered the cathedral violently at the entrances.

The police arrested the Rwandan shortly after the fire but then released him without initiating criminal proceedings. Now, the prosecution has informed that based on new evidence, the man was arrested again on Saturday, confessed, and faces a charge of arson. If found guilty, he could face up to ten years in prison and a hefty fine.

According to his lawyer, the Rwandan regrets the act and has decided to fully cooperate with the investigators, Le Monde wrote.