Kobili Traoré, who was ruled not criminally responsible for the 2017 killing of Sarah Halimi, has been taken into police custody on suspicion of armed robbery and kidnapping after being granted leave from a psychiatric hospital.

As reported by Le Journal du Dimanche, the 36-year-old was among four suspects arrested on Wednesday in connection with a violent home invasion that took place on Jan. 27 in Paris’ 16th arrondissement.

A man in his forties was reportedly attacked in his apartment by intruders who sprayed him with tear gas before beating and kicking him. He was then dragged through the property as the assailants searched the premises.

The victim was tied to a chair, gagged, and burned with a cigarette, investigators said. Watches, jewelry, and other valuables were stolen, with the estimated loss put at nearly €100,000. The other suspects detained in the case were described as already known to the authorities.

Traoré had been hospitalized in a psychiatric ward in Val-de-Marne following a court ruling that he could not be held criminally responsible for the killing of Halimi. On the night of April 4, 2017, he broke into the apartment of the 65-year-old Jewish woman in Paris’ 11th arrondissement, beat her, and threw her from her balcony while shouting “Allahu Akbar” and calling her “sheitan,” meaning devil in Arabic.

In 2019, judges concluded that his criminal responsibility had been abolished at the time of the attack due to an acute psychotic episode linked to heavy cannabis consumption. In April 2021, the Court of Cassation upheld that decision, confirming that he could not be tried because his judgment had been deemed legally abolished during the events.

The ruling sparked widespread controversy in France and prompted legislative changes clarifying criminal responsibility in cases involving voluntary intoxication.

Kobili Traoré avait assassiné sa voisine Sarah Halimi. Ce meurtrier antisémite avait été déclaré pénalement irresponsable pour avoir fumé du cannabis avant son crime. Il serait en garde à vue pour vol à main armée et aurait séquestré un homme.

Cette impunité est insupportable,… https://t.co/G6rMnEQgYe

— Marine Le Pen (@MLP_officiel) February 27, 2026

Following news of his latest arrest, senior figures on the nationalist right renewed criticism of the justice system. National Rally grandee Marine Le Pen wrote on X, “Kobili Traoré murdered his neighbor Sarah Halimi. This antisemitic killer was declared criminally irresponsible for having smoked cannabis before his crime. He is reportedly in police custody for armed robbery and allegedly kidnapping a man. This impunity is unbearable, shameful, and revolting.”

Marion Maréchal also reacted, stating: “Kobili Traoré, the antisemitic murderer of Sarah Halimi, had been deemed criminally irresponsible in a highly questionable manner. Result: He regained his freedom and has just been arrested again for theft and kidnapping.

“The French no longer want a justice system that fails to protect and no longer deters. This issue enjoys broad consensus in society. We are waiting for action.”