The Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed on Thursday that a disturbing package containing a human fingertip was delivered to the official residence of French President Emmanuel Macron, the Elysee Palace. This startling revelation was first reported by CNN, and it’s suggested that the macabre parcel was self-mailed by the person from whom the fingertip was taken.

Authorities have initiated an investigation into this unsettling event and opened a case classified as ‘threat of a crime or offense against an elected official’. Macron, who has been the French president since 2017, is no stranger to threats, but this incident is unprecedented as it’s the first time a body part has been sent to a French head of state.

Upon receiving the package, palace officials placed the finger in a refrigerator typically used to store police snacks to preserve it for quick analysis. The following tests confirmed that the severed finger belonged to a living individual, who was then located and provided with necessary medical assistance. The lack of a note or any form of accompanying correspondence left investigators puzzled about the motives behind this bizarre act.

The source, citing reasons like medical confidentiality, did not disclose the identity of the person whose finger was sent. This perplexing incident comes at a tumultuous time for President Macron, who has been facing significant public unrest over various issues such as pension reform and the recent fatal shooting of a 17-year-old French Algerian by a Paris policeman. As Macron prepares to lead the July 14 Bastille Day celebrations in Paris, authorities have increased security due to warnings about potential rioting targeting the national holiday.

  Elysee Palace, Emmanuel Macron, France, Paris