An “Islamist-inspired” attack plan which targeted the football events of the 2024 Olympic Games was foiled in Saint-Etienne by the intelligence services, who arrested a Chechen suspect, the Ministry of Defense said on Friday May 31. ‘Interior.
“On May 22, 2024, the General Directorate of Internal Security (DGSI) proceeded in Saint-Etienne (Loire) to the arrest of an 18-year-old Chechen national suspected of wanting to commit an Islamist-inspired attack on the ground national”, explained the ministry in a press release. He specified that it was “the first foiled attack against the Olympic Games” in Paris. “The first elements demonstrate” that the suspect “was actively preparing an attack against the Geoffroy-Guichard stadium,” said the same source.
Concerning the young Chechen national arrested, “the first elements demonstrate that he was actively preparing an attack against the Geoffroy-Guichard stadium, during the football events which will take place there” during the Olympics, indicated the ministry .
According to Place Beauvau, “he would have liked to attack spectators, but also the police and die as a martyr”.
More information to come.