France|It is believed that the suspect intended to attack a football match.
French police have arrested an 18-year-old man of Chechen origin on suspicion of planning a jihadist terrorist attack on the football stadium in the city of Saint-Étienne during the Paris Olympics this summer.
The arrest was made in Saint-Étienne in southeastern France on Wednesday last week, and a prosecutor specializing in terrorism opened a criminal investigation into the case last Sunday. Minister of the Interior by Gérald Darman announced the matter yesterday, Friday. The news agency Reuters and the news channel reported on it, among others France 24.
According to Darmanin, this is the first intention to attack the Olympic Games that has come to the attention of the authorities.
Authorities did not release the suspect’s name. He is also suspected of terrorist collaboration with others.
“He wanted to attack spectators and security forces and die as a martyr,” Darmanin said, according to Reuters.
The Minister of the Interior clarified that the suspect is believed to have intended to carry out his attack specifically outside the stadium, because the security measures at the entrances are so strict.
The suspect was not already known to French intelligence.
“Thanks to his IT devices and our searches, we were able to conclude that this person intended to act.”
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