Authorities Thwart Different Plots To Destabilize Olympics In Paris : July 24, 2024
French Authorities have released that they have arrested a 40-year-old Russian man for allegedly attempting to “destabilize the Olympics.” Authorities said that the man was gathering intelligence on the Olympics and then passing the information on to a foreign power. In France this is punishable of up to 30 years in jail. The man is only being identified with the initial “K.” They say that a foreign power would use the intelligence K provided to provoke hostilities in Paris at the Olympics.
French Authorities have searched the apartment that was rented by the man in Paris on Wednesday. They have found evidence that they say could be used to “organize events likely to cause destabilization during the Olympic Games.” They have also found an identity card that links K to an elite Russian special forces unit. The unit is the Federal Security Service (FSB) of Russia.
Authorities said K had moved to France in 2010 where he enrolled in a culinary school. He then worked as a chef in a restaurant at a French Alps ski resort in Courchevel. Authorities said that K was found in Russian reality shows about cooking and providing cooking tutorials. In 2012 he moved to Paris where he attended a mandatory civic training session. The sessions are for foreigners that plan to stay long-term in France.
No further information is being provided at this time about K while the investigation continues.
French Authorities have been under a high alert ahead of the Olympics. They have been having security issues such as attempted cyberattacks. There are also high tensions due to the wars and conflicts.
An 18-year-old man was arrested Tuesday of also attempting to disrupt the organization of the Olympics. However, no details have been provided on what he was planning to do to disrupt the event.
French authorities are increasing their security for the event by adding police offices, and soldiers to patrol and do other security missions in the area.
Russia has said they have not received notification from France that they have arrested their citizen.
The Olympics is set to start on July the 26th. The opening ceremony is expected to be very extravagant and will be at the River Seine.
