France’s chief anti-terrorism prosecutor revealed to Franceinfo on Wednesday that authorities in the European country foiled three terrorist attacks directed at last month’s Olympic Summer Games in Paris.
The official, Olivier Christen, told the radio network that investigations by his office resulted in the arrests of five people, including one minor, who remain in custody while they face terrorism-related charges.
Christen characterized the plots as targeting Paris-based institutions connected to Israel and restaurants near the Geoffroy-Guichard soccer stadium in Saint-Étienne, while also noting a third incident involving two individuals from Gironde.
Despite threats made against Israel’s athletes before the international competition, Christen reported the “team itself was not specifically targeted.”
At least one of the suspects, an 18-year-old from Chechnya who was alleged to have planned the Saint-Étienne attack, was accused by the prosecutor of acting in concert with the ideology of the Islamic State.
The XXXIII Olympiad, held in July and August, took place amid the backdrop of the war in Gaza, leading the French Interior Ministry to implement unprecedented security measures. This included deploying tens of thousands of police officers and military personnel to oversee the athletic venues.
In addition to the nationwide efforts to keep the participants and spectators out of danger, reports of menacing social media remarks made towards Israel's Olympic delegation led the Shin Bet security service to position extra agents for the event. This reinforcement was added to the round-the-clock safeguards already provided by the host nation.
Related Story: Israel Increases Security for Olympic Delegation After Strikes on Senior Terrorists
Related Story: Israeli Olympic Athletes Receive Threats to ‘Repeat Munich 1972’
