Teenager arrested after French security services foiled terrorist plot at Paris Olympics…

May 31, 2024, 3:57 p.m. | Updated: May 31, 2024, 4:30 p.m.

French security services have foiled a major terrorist plot targeting football events during this summer's Paris Olympics.

France's interior minister confirmed Friday that authorities had foiled an attack targeting soccer events in the country, with authorities arresting an 18-year-old in connection with the plot.

The 2024 Olympic Games are scheduled to take place across France between July 26 and August 11.

Gérald Darmanin said in a statement that the Chechen teenager was arrested on suspicion of planning to attack football events.

He was taken into custody by authorities on May 22, Darmanin confirmed.

Authorities revealed the teenager planned to target events taking place in the town of Saint-Etienne, southwest of Lyon.

As part of the Paris Olympic Games, football matches are planned in cities across the country, notably at the Beaujoire stadium in Nantes, the Marseille stadium and the Parc des Princes in Paris.

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The football finals are set to take place at the famous Stade de France stadium in Paris.

The target would be the Geoffroy-Guichard stadium, home of Ligue 1 club St-Etienne.

The venue is expected to host several matches as part of this summer's games.

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In a statement, Darmanin confirmed that the attacker intended to target spectators and members of the police as part of the plot.

The report said the suspect was arrested at his home in the city.

They added that the teenager had already carried out reconnaissance at the location in question.

Darmanin largely praised the security services in his statement, adding that this arrest allowed them to “demonstrate their full mobilization and effectiveness in the fight against terrorism and the protection of our country.”

He added: “This is the first foiled attack against the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the 50th attack foiled by our intelligence services since 2017.”

It comes just weeks after a 16-year-old boy was arrested by the country's counter-terrorism police, after allegedly saying on social media that he wanted to “die a martyr” at the Paris Olympics.