The 47-year-old, identified as Hamdi H., was arrested Tuesday following the viral video that sparked widespread outrage across France. The footage shows Hamdi H. kneeling to light his cigarette from the flame, which has burned continuously since 1923, before casually walking away as onlookers appear gobsmacked.
Hamdi H. has admitted to the act and now faces charges of desecrating a burial site or monument. This offense carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison or a fine up to €15,000 ($17,000 USD). Le Figaro reported that the man has a criminal record including 21 prior convictions for offenses such as car theft, vandalism, assault, and racially motivated public insults. His residency permit was due to expire in October.
Interior Minister Retailleau condemned the incident, calling it “a disrespectful and pathetic act” that “insults the memory of those who died for France.”
Since his appointment in September 2024, Retailleau has adopted a firm approach on immigration policy, pushing for stricter controls on migrants from Algeria and faster deportations of undocumented individuals, as he positions himself for a potential presidential bid in 2027.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was established under the Arc de Triomphe in 1920 to honor an unidentified World War I soldier. The eternal flame, lit every day since 1923, represents France’s ongoing tribute to its war dead.
