PA averageA Russian man has been arrested in France on suspicion of planning “destabilizing” acts during the Paris Olympics, prosecutors said.
Local media reported that a 40-year-old man was arrested on Sunday and an investigation was launched into the possible “passing of information to foreign powers with a view to triggering hostilities in France”.
The alleged plot is not believed to be aimed at a terrorist attack.
Just days before the Olympics kick off, the opening ceremony will take place in central Paris on Friday.
Prosecutors said the man’s Paris apartment was searched at the request of France’s interior ministry.
Sources close to investigation Tell Le Parisien Agents uncovered evidence that the man was preparing “pro-Russian operations” to destabilize France during the Olympics.
Another source said the alleged plot was a “massive project” that could have “serious” consequences.
No further details were provided other than that the investigation was being conducted by counterintelligence rather than counterterrorism experts.
The man was charged Tuesday night and held in pretrial detention.
The crime being investigated is It is said The sentence is punishable by up to 30 years in prison.
French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said this week that authorities had screened more than a million people ahead of the Olympics, including athletes, coaches, journalists, volunteers, security guards and local residents near the event.
Agence France-Presse quoted a source close to Darmanin as saying that of the 4,360 people denied entry, 880 were banned on suspicion of foreign interference.
“We are here to ensure that sport is not used for espionage, cyberattacks or criticism and sometimes even lies against France and French people,” Mr Darmanin said.
A number of incidents in recent months have raised suspicions of outside attempts to exploit divisions within France and foment divisions, particularly over the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.
in June, Covered with five coffins A French flag was left near the Eiffel Tower with the words “French soldiers in Ukraine” written on it.
Three men – a Bulgarian, a Ukrainian and a German – were later arrested and told police they had received money to store the coffins.
French intelligence officials said they believed Russia was behind the incident.
A month ago, Paris’ main Holocaust memorial was painted with red hands. Police said the perpetrator is believed to have fled abroad.
In the weeks following the Hamas attack on October 7 and the subsequent start of Israeli military operations in Gaza, approx. 250 graffiti templates The Star of David – the main symbol depicted on the Israeli flag – appears on several walls around Paris.
A Moldovan couple was later arrested and French officials said they were believed to have been bribed by Russian intelligence.
