Police in France arrested a man suspected of injuring three women with a sharp weapon in different metro stations in the capital Paris, according to prosecutors.

The three women were attacked at three different locations along the Line 3 of the Paris metro, a line that also stops at the city's center.

The French Interior Ministry said the suspect had aimed at a woman's back, before carrying on and attacking a second victim in the leg minutes later. A third victim was later injured in the back.

Two of the victims were taken to hospital but were not in critical condition, authorities said.

What do we know about the suspect?

France's Interior Ministry said in a statement cited by the French AFP news agency that the suspect is a 25-year-old Malian national known to the police. He was imprisoned in 2024 for aggravated theft and sexual assault convictions.

The suspect was required to leave France after being released in July this year. But a missing consular travel document prevented the deportation.

He was identified using surveillance camera footage.

France Interior Minister Laurent Nunez took to his X account to praise the authorities for promptly apprehending the suspect, adding that the quick arrest was due to video surveillance and police's "exceptional knowledge of the area."

European capitals are preparing for the end of year celebrations with increased vigilance, amid recent attacks and uncovered plots targeting religious festivities and gatherings.

Edited by: Rana Taha