France experiences multiple terrorist attacks during the Olympics
Before the Paris Olympics, France was running at its maximum terror alert level. Operations and apprehensions were commonplace. Authorities have now declared that they successfully disrupted a grand total of three threats, one of which aimed at Israeli interests. Five individuals remain in custody for alleged terror-related activities.
Planned assaults on various French cities during both the Olympic and Paralympic Games were ceased. The anti-terror prosecutor, Olivier Christen, revealed that a potential attack on "Israeli establishments or Israeli representatives in Paris" during the July 26 to August 11 event was averted. The intended target was not specifically the Israeli Olympic team, as per Christen's explanation to France Info.
Five suspects charged with terrorism are still in detention, according to Christen, including a minor. The foiled attack schemes primarily involved jihadists, Christen said. ISIS persists in spreading its extremist ideology.
Christen mentioned that increased raids before the Olympics were amongst the preventive measures taken. So far this year, 936 such raids have been conducted, compared to the 153 from last year. Prior to the Olympics, authorities apprehended a Chechen believed to be planning an attack on the football tournament.
France has consistently been the target of Islamist extremists for many years, with multiple attacks of a terrorist nature occurring within the country. Not too long ago, police detained four suspects following an arson incident at a synagogue in southern France.
The foiled attack on "Israeli establishments or Israeli representatives in Paris" was actually planned by jihadists, as revealed by the anti-terror prosecutor. The Islamic extremist group, ISIS, continues to spread its ideology despite the preventive measures taken in France.
