FRENCH security services have foiled a plot for an “Islamist-inspired” attack which was planned for during this summer’s Olympic Games.
The country’s domestic intelligence agency arrested an 18-year-old Chechen man suspected of organising an attack on a football game in Lyon.
AFPA police officer holds an HK G36 assault rifle as he stands guard near the Gambetta High School in Arras, northeastern France[/caption]
The Chechen immigrant to France is said to have wanted to disrupt games planned in Saint-Étienne, a city in the east of the country.
France’s interior ministry said he had been detained for “actively preparing an attack against the Geoffroy Guichard stadium [in Saint-Etienne] during the football games that will take place there.”
An investigating source said: “His first attack has been foiled.
“He is currently in custody, and being linked to Islamist groups.”
The Minister of the Interior Gérald Darmanin said in a statement that he wanted to “congratulate the intelligence services which once again demonstrate their full mobilisation and their effectiveness in the fight against terrorism and the protection of our country.”
He said: “This is the first foiled attack against the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the 50th attack foiled by our intelligence services since 2017.”
The teenager was not known to the police and had moved to France with his family only last year.
He is believed to have already carried out reconnaissance on the stadium with police finding videos and pictures on his phone and laptop.
The suspect was arrested at his home, after he had already conducted reconnaissance, according to the source.
During a search carried out by the police, investigators found a photo of the Saint-Étienne stadium on a computer, as well as videos.
He was indicted last Sunday on a range of terrorism-related charges and placed in pretrial detention while denying any wrongdoing.
Instead, he admitted to “conversations” on encrypted messaging platforms, but claimed they were harmless.
Six football matches from the men’s and women’s tournaments are set to take place at the Geoffroy-Guichard stadium in Saint-Étienne between July 24 and 31 as part of the Olympics.
It comes as the threat of terrorism in Europe by radical jihadists is at an all-time high.
Previously, ISIS-K – an Afghanistan-based offshoot of ISIS – issued threats against cities including Paris and London.
The Al Azaim Foundation, a media channel responsible for disseminating messages from ISIS-K shared a post threatening an attack on four stadiums, also including the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid.
Games targetted included Arsenal versus Bayern Munich at the Emirates Stadium, and Paris St Germain vs Barcelona at the Parc des Princes.
Terrorist threat ‘acute’ across Europe
By Jessica Baker, Foreign News Reporter
THE threat of terrorism to the security of Europe is “acute”, the EU’s law enforcement agency warns.
Europol said the top concern of EU countries is “jihadist terrorism” and foreign terrorist fighters who travel from conflict zones.
Some fear the terror group ISIS could be looking to leverage conflict in the Middle East to launch a fresh of attacks across Europe.
Ten jihadist attacks have been foiled by cops in Europe in the past 12 months alone, according to Dutch intelligence agency AIVD.
The agency claimed attacks planned and intercepted included stabbing rampages at major events and assaults on specific groups and venues.
Israel’s spy agency meanwhile alleged Iranian terror cells are plotting attacks across the continent ahead of the Paris Olympics.
The Olympics chief has promised a ring of steel at the Games’ opening ceremony and insisted “security is the priority” to ensure the safety of an expected 15 million fans and more than 10,000 athletes.
Meanwhile, the Paris Olympics chief has promised a ring of steel at the opening ceremony amid fears it may have to be moved due to terror threats.
Tony Estanguet insisted that “security is the priority” to ensure the safety of 15million fans and more than 10,000 athletes.
But the July 26 ceremony along the River Seine — the first not held in a stadium — has already been scaled back from 600,000 spectators to 300,000.
IS threats which saw extra security at last week’s Champions League footie matches have raised fears the Games could also be a target.
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