A 26-year-old man was arrested after triggering an explosion at a hotel room north of Paris.
French police have arrested a 26-year-old Ukrainian-Russian man after he set off explosives in a hotel room north of Paris, according to sources from the French anti-terrorism prosecutors’ office (PNAT). The man, who suffered significant burns from the explosion on Monday, was treated by firefighters before being detained. A search of his hotel room revealed materials and products intended for the manufacture of explosives.
The PNAT, in coordination with France’s domestic intelligence agency, has launched an investigation into the man on charges of participating in a terrorist conspiracy and bomb plot. While no immediate comment has been made by either the Ukrainian or Russian embassies, the French authorities are treating the incident seriously.
Despite the proximity of the arrest to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, security operations have not been affected, and the airport remains operational. France is currently on its highest security alert with the Paris Olympics just two months away, a time of heightened concern due to ongoing global conflicts, including the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.
Last month, French security services foiled a planned attack on the Olympics after arresting an 18-year-old Chechen man allegedly preparing a suicide mission at Saint-Étienne’s soccer stadium. This latest arrest adds to the growing security challenges ahead of the Games.
