French authorities foiled three plots to attack the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris and other cities that hosted the summer events, the national counterterrorism prosecutor, Olivier Christen, said on Wednesday, reports ITV News.
Mr Christen said the plots included plans to attack “Israeli institutions or representatives of Israel in Paris” during the Olympic competition.
In all, five people, including a minor, were arrested on suspicion of involvement in the three foiled plots against the Summer Games. The suspects are facing various terrorism-related charges while they remain in pretrial detention, the prosecutor said.
France was on its highest security alert in the months ahead of the Olympics and Paralympics, which wrapped up last week. During preparations for the Games, interior minister Gerald Darmanin repeatedly warned that security threats included those from Islamic extremist groups, violent environmental activists, far-right groups and cyberattacks from Russia or other adversaries.
In May, members of the General Directorate of Internal Security arrested an 18-year-old man from Chechnya on suspicion of being behind a plan to attack Olympic football events that were held in the southern city of Saint-Etienne.