France train shooting: Attack 'was well prepared'

Europe

An attempted attack by a heavily armed man on a train in France last week was premeditated and well prepared, according to a French prosecutor.

Ayoub El-Khazzani, 25, was carrying 270 bullets for his assault rifle and a bottle of petrol, prosecutor Francois Molins said. The Moroccan's phone showed that he had watched a jihadist video shortly before launching the attack, Molins added.

Prosecutors have now filed formal charges against him. Khazzani is accused of carrying out a "targeted and premeditated" jihadist attack.

He is also accused of firearms offences and "participation in a terrorist association with a view to organising one or several damaging crimes," according to prosecutors' documents.

He was overpowered by passengers on the Thalys express train from Amsterdam to Paris on Friday. No-one died. Three Americans and one Briton who tackled the gunman were awarded medals for their bravery.