Russian arrested at Olympics for espionage suspicion
Before the Start of the Olympics in Paris, a Russian is Arrested on Suspicion of Spying
In Paris, a Russian man was arrested before the Olympics for the "risk of destabilization." The 40-year-old, who works as a cook in Paris, has been under observation by the French secret service for months. A suspicious document was also reportedly found with him.
According to reports, he was arrested at his apartment in the center of Paris on Sunday. His apartment was raided at 6 am. A document was found that is linked to a Russian elite unit that works under the command of the Russian domestic intelligence service, the FSB. The man is being investigated for allegedly exchanging intelligence information with a foreign power to incite hostilities in France. This is a crime punishable by up to 30 years in prison in France.
However, it was not assumed that the alleged plot had a terrorist background, according to the "Guardian." The Paris Prosecutor's Office stated that the search of the Russian's apartment was carried out on the request of the Interior Ministry. According to French media reports, the investigators found evidence that the man was preparing a "grandiose project" that could have had serious consequences during the three-week games. No details were given.
Since 2010 in France
The French newspaper "Le Monde" reported that the arrested man in Paris had completed a cooking apprenticeship and had participated in Russian reality and cooking shows. In his resume, he described himself as a "private chef." He first came to France in 2010 and spent some time in Courchevel, a ski resort popular with the Russian elite. He worked in a Michelin-starred restaurant there before moving to Paris in 2012.
Emails from September 2012, which "Le Monde" was able to see, revealed that the suspect had informed his landlady, named Viviane by the newspaper, that he was returning to Moscow to work as a civil servant in the Russian government. However, in April 2013, he participated in a civic integration training, a mandatory step in France.
Opening Ceremony as a Security Risk
The French newspaper "Le Monde" reported that the intelligence services had intercepted a conversation between the suspect and a Russian intelligence officer two months ago, in which the suspect mentioned that "the French are organizing an opening ceremony unlike any other before." The 40-year-old had been under observation for months. The suspicious phone call took place during his return journey from a stay in Istanbul. Since he missed his flight due to excessive alcohol consumption, he returned via Bulgaria, during which time the incriminating phone call was intercepted.
On this Friday, the Olympic Games in Paris will be opened. Differently from other times, the Opening Ceremony will not take place in a stadium. Instead, participants and fans will gather along the Seine, a significant part of the ceremony will take place on boats. Tribunes have been set up along the river. This presents a great security risk. In the city center, many street sections can currently only be entered with an access permit.
Internal Minister Gerald Darmanin announced that 4355 people have been excluded from the Games following security checks. Those checked were all those involved in any way with the Olympics this summer - for example, athletes, trainers, journalists, volunteers, employees of private security services, and even residents.
The Russian cook, under suspicion of spying, was arrested in Paris prior to the Olympic Games 2024. His arrest raised concerns due to the discovery of a document linked to a Russian elite unit and allegations of exchanging intelligence information with a foreign power.
Despite the suspected spying activity, there were no indications of a terrorist threat associated with the Olympic Games 2024 in Paris.
