In an unexpected turn of events, French authorities have launched a criminal investigation into a 40-year-old Russian man, suspected of plotting to incite hostilities and orchestrate destabilizing events during the Olympic Games.
The Paris prosecutor's office shared this information, shedding light on the gravity of the situation.
According to Newsweek, the Paris prosecutor's office confirmed via an email that the Russian man was indicted and placed in pre-trial detention on July 23. This action was taken following a search of his Paris apartment, conducted at the behest of the Ministry of the Interior. The man, whose identity remains undisclosed, was arrested on July 21.
During the search, the police reportedly discovered items that sparked concerns about his intentions to orchestrate events that could potentially destabilize the Olympic Games. An anonymous source suggested that the destabilization could involve pro-Russian operations aimed at unsettling France during the Olympics.
Interestingly, the Russian embassy in Paris informed Reuters and the Associated Press that it had not been notified by French authorities about the man's detention. The Paris prosecutor's office statement revealed that the Russian man is being investigated for "intelligence with a foreign power with a view to provoking hostilities in France." If found guilty, he could face a prison sentence of up to 30 years.
The man has been identified by some as a former reality television star and alleged member of Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), a counterintelligence agency. However, Newsweek could not independently verify this information.
Sources close to the investigation described it as a "large-scale project" with potentially "serious" consequences. The investigation is being conducted under the umbrella of espionage, not counter-terrorism.
The timing of the man's detention is noteworthy, coming just before the Olympic Games' opening ceremony on Friday. The French government's tourism board anticipates that 10,500 athletes will be transported in 94 boats across the Seine River for the event. With an estimated 11 million visitors expected to attend the Games in person, security is a paramount concern for France.
In response to these security concerns, France plans to deploy approximately 30,000 police officers daily, most of whom will be armed with at least handguns. An additional 45,000 officers will be tasked with guarding the opening ceremony on the Seine River. Furthermore, 25,000 private security guards will be on duty each day.
The Interior Ministry of France has undertaken a comprehensive vetting program, scrutinizing around one million individuals slated for involvement in the Games, ranging from volunteers to the Olympic flame bearers and private security officers. Over 1,000 individuals have already been excluded due to security concerns. This incident underscores the importance of vigilance and stringent security measures in ensuring the safety and success of such large-scale international events.
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