French authorities foiled three plots aimed at attacking the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris and other host cities of the summer events, the national counter-terrorism prosecutor said on Wednesday.
Olivier Christen stated that the plots included plans to attack “Israeli institutions or representatives in Paris” during the Olympic Games, held from July 26th to August 11th. The prosecutor added that “the Israeli team itself was not a specific target.” He did not provide further details.
A total of five individuals, including a minor, were arrested on suspicion of being involved in the three foiled plots against the Summer Games, which took place against the backdrop of the Israel-Hamas conflict and Russia’s war in Ukraine. The suspects face various terrorism charges while in pretrial detention, the prosecutor added.
France had been on high-security alert in the months leading up to the Olympic and Paralympic Games, which concluded last week. During preparations for the Games, Minister of Internal Affairs Gerald Darmanin repeatedly warned that security threats could come from extremist groups, violent environmental activists, far-right organizations, and cyberattacks from Russia or other adversaries.
