France foils a plot on the Paris Olympics days before the opening ceremony, authorities say

France's interior minister says the country's security authorities have thwarted a plot against the Paris Olympics

Wednesday 24 July 2024 15:01 BST

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

French security authorities have thwarted a plot against the Paris Olympics, the country's interior minister said Wednesday, two days before the official start of the Summer Games.

France has been on high alert over the past few weeks as preparations to host the 2024 Olympics hit the final stretch. The Games officially kick off with a lavish and high-security opening ceremony on the River Seine on Friday.

The Games' organizers face security challenges, including cyberattack concerns, amid high international tensions because of the Russia's war in Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza.

There are also elaborate disinformation campaigns orchestrated out of Russia, targeting the Olympics and France's recent elections, according to French officials and cybersecurity experts in Europe and the United States.

Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin said in an interview Wednesday with French broadcaster BFMTV that a young man was arrested in Gironde, a region in the southwest of France, on suspicion of “planning a violent action against the Olympic Games.”

Police arrested an 18-year-old man Tuesday on accusations that he was planning to target the “organization of the Games,” Darmanin said.

He did not give details on the suspect's potential targets or whether they were in Paris or in other French cities hosting Olympic events that run through Aug. 11.

“We are still working on this case ... (we) avoid giving details ... but we think there is a link," Darmanin said. “It's been established that this person wanted to attack the Olympic Games."

Paris has deployed 35,000 police officers each day for the Olympics, with a peak of 45,000 for the opening ceremony. In addition, 10,000 soldiers are taking part in security operations in the Paris region.

A 10,000-strong military force is patrolling streets and sites in the Paris region and carrying out other security missions.

France also is getting help from more than 40 countries that together have sent at least 1,900 police reinforcements.

___

Follow AP's Paris Olympics coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games

Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Thank you for registering

France foils a plot on the Paris Olympics days before the opening ceremony, authorities say

France's interior minister says the country's security authorities have thwarted a plot against the Paris Olympics

France foils a plot on the Paris Olympics days before the opening ceremony, authorities say

Thank you for registering