French intelligence services have successfully disrupted a plot to attack the 2024 Paris Olympics, arresting an 18-year-old Chechen man who intended to target football fans and police at the Geoffroy-Guichard stadium in Saint-Étienne. The suspect, who had been living in France since 2023, was apprehended on May 22nd after an investigation revealed his plan to carry out an Islamist-inspired terrorist attack during the Olympic football matches. The French Interior Minister, Gérald Darmanin, commended the effectiveness of the security forces and emphasized that ensuring the safety of the Olympics is a top priority for the nation.The suspect, whose identity has not been disclosed, is accused of plotting the attack on behalf of the Islamic State group and had expressed a willingness to die as a martyr. He was found to have sent messages about future attacks in encrypted messengers and was in possession of photos and videos of the stadium. The National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office has launched an investigation into the suspect, who has denied the accusations but admitted to exchanging and discussing encrypted messages.This incident marks the first foiled attack against the Olympics, which are scheduled to take place from July 26 to August 11, and comes as France remains on its highest security alert level. The French government has taken extensive measures to secure the Games, deploying 20,000 soldiers and 40,000 police officers, and has received support from other countries. The thwarted plot underscores the ongoing threat of terrorism and the importance of vigilance and international cooperation in ensuring the safety of major global events like the Olympics.
Key points
- French authorities arrested an 18-year-old Chechen man planning an Islamist-inspired attack at the Geoffroy-Guichard stadium during the Paris Olympics.
- The suspect expressed a willingness to die as a martyr and had ties to radical Islamism and the Islamic State.
- This is the first foiled attack against the Olympics, with France on high alert and extensive security measures in place.
