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In a significant development concerning the security of the upcoming Paris Olympic Games, French authorities have arrested an 18-year-old of Chechen origin suspected of planning an Islamist-inspired attack on a football match.

The incident marks the first foiled attack on the Games, as confirmed by the French Interior Ministry on Friday, May 31.

The suspect, detained by the DGSI (Direction Générale de la Sécurité Intérieure) on May 22 in Saint-Etienne, southeast France, has been charged with terrorist conspiracy and is currently in pre-trial detention. The national anti-terror prosecutor’s office disclosed these details, highlighting the suspect’s intention to target spectators and security personnel at the Geoffroy-Guichard stadium, intending to die as a martyr.

Heightened Security Measures for Paris 2024

France is on its highest alert for terrorist attacks as it prepares to host the Paris Olympic Games, slated to attract around 10 million visitors and 10,000 athletes. While most events will occur in Paris, several towns and cities across France, including Saint-Etienne, will also host competitions.

The Paris 2024 Organising Committee lauded the swift actions of law enforcement agencies, emphasising that security remains the top priority for the Games. “We applaud the efficiency of the law enforcement services and their exceptional mobilisation to ensure the security of the Games,” stated the committee.

Specifics of the Foiled Islamist-Inspired Attack

The suspect had allegedly been preparing an attack on the Geoffroy-Guichard stadium, which is set to host six football matches. These games will commence on July 24 with a match between Argentina and Morocco in the men’s competition, followed by a match featuring the French women’s team against Canada on July 28. The targeted stadium is located in Saint-Etienne, an industrial town approximately an hour’s drive from Lyon, with a population of around 200,000.

Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin commended the intelligence services for their continued vigilance and effectiveness in counter-terrorism efforts, particularly in the lead-up to the Games. “Once again, our intelligence services have demonstrated their full mobilisation and effectiveness in the fight against terrorism,” he remarked.

Broader Security Context

The upcoming Paris Games have intensified security concerns, particularly regarding the opening ceremony on July 26. This event will occur over a 6-kilometre stretch of the Seine, marking the first time a summer Olympics has commenced outside a traditional stadium. The logistical challenge of securing such an extensive area of Paris will require a formidable security operation, with 45,000 officers expected to be deployed. Access to large parts of the city centre will be restricted to ticket holders and local residents.

In recent years, France has witnessed several terrorist attacks perpetrated by radicalised individuals from the North Caucasus region. Notable incidents include the October 2020 beheading of a teacher by a teenage Chechen extremist in a Paris suburb, and the October 2022 killing of a teacher in Arras by another Chechen national who had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State. These attacks have prompted Interior Minister Darmanin to call for a specialised approach in dealing with young men from the Caucasus, particularly those aged 16 to 25.