The French authorities have thwarted three separate plots aimed at attacking the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris and other cities that hosted the summer events, as disclosed by the national counterterrorism prosecutor on Wednesday. The thwarted plots included intentions to target Israeli institutions or representatives of Israel in Paris during the period of the Olympic competition from July 26 to August 11. However, the Israeli team itself was not specifically singled out in the plans, according to the prosecutor who refrained from providing further details.
Five individuals, including a minor, have been apprehended on suspicion of involvement in the three thwarted plots against the Summer Games, which took place amidst the Israel-Hamas conflict and Russia’s actions in Ukraine. The suspects are currently detained pending trial on various terrorism-related charges, as stated by the prosecutor.
In the lead-up to the Olympics and Paralympics, France was put on high security alert. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin had consistently cautioned about security threats posed by Islamic extremist groups, violent environmental activists, far-right groups, and the potential for cyberattacks from countries like Russia.
Ahead of the Games, security forces arrested an 18-year-old Chechen man suspected of planning an attack on Olympic soccer events held in Saint-Etienne. The plan entailed targeting bar-type establishments near the Geoffroy stadium, with the suspect allegedly intending to carry out a violent act in line with the jihadist ideology of the Islamic State group.
According to the prosecutor, the foiled plots were largely influenced by jihadist threats, with extremist ideology playing a significant role in around 80% of legal proceedings involving suspects. IS propaganda still exerts an influence on the youth in France, as noted by the prosecutor.
To prevent potential threats, authorities conducted an increased number of house searches and imposed house arrests leading up to the Olympics. There were 936 house searches conducted in 2024 so far, a stark increase from 153 searches conducted the previous year, according to the prosecutor.
During the summer Olympics and Paralympics, France bolstered its airspace defenses by deploying military aircraft such as warplanes, attack helicopters, surveillance planes, as well as military and police drones to monitor the skies over Paris and Marseille, the port city hosting sailing and soccer events.
The French Air and Space Force reported over 750 flight hours in 350 missions during the events, resulting in 90 interceptions, mostly involving civilian drones. The Defense Ministry’s statement revealed that 85 drone operators were arrested, with most being unaware tourists who had violated regulations during the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Two drone operators were apprehended for unlawfully providing equipment to a prison, according to the statement.