- Russian arrested over alleged plot to ‘destabilise’ Paris Olympics
- Prosecutors disclosed that the 40-year-old man was apprehended on Sunday
- He is suspected of passing intelligence to a foreign power to incite hostilities in France
- The plot is not believed to involve a terror attack but has been described as a “large-scale project” with potentially “serious” consequences
Russian arrested over alleged plot to ‘destabilise’ Paris Olympics
A Russian man has been arrested in France on suspicion of plotting acts of “destabilisation” during the upcoming Paris Olympics. Prosecutors disclosed that the 40-year-old man was apprehended on Sunday, suspected of passing intelligence to a foreign power to incite hostilities in France. The plot is not believed to involve a terror attack.
The arrest comes just days before the Olympic opening ceremony on Friday. Authorities searched the man’s Paris apartment at the interior ministry’s request. Sources told Le Parisien that evidence suggested he was preparing “pro-Russian operations” to destabilise France during the games. Another source described the plot as a “large-scale project” with potentially “serious” consequences.
The investigation, led by counter-espionage specialists, resulted in the man being indicted and placed in pre-trial detention. The crimes under investigation could carry a prison sentence of up to 30 years.
French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin revealed that authorities have screened over one million people connected to the Olympics, including athletes, coaches, journalists, volunteers, security guards, and local residents. Of the 4,360 people denied access, 880 were barred due to suspicions of foreign interference.