Thwarted plot targeted Olympics in France
In France, there have been numerous instances of Islamist-inspired attacks. With the Olympics approaching, officials are tightening security in the French capital. In the southern part of the country, an 18-year-old individual has been detained - he had intentions of targeting the Olympic soccer tournament.
In France, authorities have thwarted an Islamist terrorist plot on a soccer match during the Olympics this summer. In Saint-Étienne, an 18-year-old Chechen was taken into custody, as per the Interior Ministry in Paris.
Based on the ongoing inquiries, the suspect had planned to stage an attack during one of the Olympic soccer matches at the Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium in Saint-Étienne. He was intending to attack both spectators and security personnel and desired to die as a martyr.
French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin expressed gratitude to those responsible for apprehending the suspect. This is the first derailed terror plot during the Olympics and marks the 50th such instance that the police have prevented since 2017.
France sees regular Islamist attacks. Most recently, an attacker assaulted a German with a knife at the Eiffel Tower in Paris in early December. The end of March saw an elevation of the top alert level amidst the 140+ deaths at the Crocus City Hall concert venue in a Moscow suburb, which the Islamist extremist organization Islamic State claimed responsibility for.
Set to transpire between July 26 and August 11, the Olympics will be held in Paris as well as various other French cities. The Paralympics are slated from August 28 to September 8. Due to concerns regarding safety and possible attacks, France, which has faced an ongoing battle with extremism, is set to deploy 10,000 police officers to safeguard the Olympics.
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Given the escalating threat of terrorism in France, particularly Islamist-inspired attacks, the Olympic Games in the country have become a prime target. This was evident in the thwarted plot aimed at a soccer match during the Olympics.
In light of the alleged terrorist threat against the Olympic soccer tournament, France has beefed up security measures, with a focus on the French capital.
