Macron vows justice after tree memorial for murdered Jew cut down

The French president said the felling of the tree honouring Ilan Halimi was "an attempt to kill him a second time".

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The memorial tree was planted 14 years ago to honour Ilan Halimi, who was tortured and murdered by a Paris gang in 2006, sparking widespread shock and outrage at the time.

Macron said the felling of the olive tree on Wednesday was "an attempt to kill him a second time", adding: "All means are being deployed to punish this act of hatred."

Paris police chief Laurent Nuñez confirmed an investigation was under way, adding: "Everything will be done to find the perpetrators and bring them to justice."

Halimi's body was found by a railway line handcuffed to a tree, naked and severely burned, having been held captive by the Barbarian gang for more than three weeks.