France Revokes Residency of Moroccan for Desecrating Tomb of Unknown Soldier

A 47-year-old Moroccan man is facing revocation of his French residency permit and possible deportation after being caught on video lighting a cigarette using the Eternal Flame at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier beneath the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. The incident, which sparked national outrage, was widely condemned by French officials including Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, who described the act as "indecent and pathetic," and Patricia Miralles, Minister Delegate for Remembrance and Veterans Affairs, who called it an affront to the memory of fallen soldiers. The man, known to police with a history of prior offenses, was arrested and charged with desecration of a monument honoring French war dead. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, established to honor unidentified soldiers from World War I, holds profound symbolic significance for France, with the Eternal Flame burning continuously as a tribute. This incident prompted formal complaints and strong reactions from politicians and the public, emphasizing respect for national memory and veterans. The case is proceeding under French law, which allows penalties including fines and imprisonment for such desecration.