Paris 2024 Olympics: he planned to commit an attack and “die a martyr” during the competition, a 16-year-old arrested

A 16-year-old teenager arrested while planning an attack during the Paris 2024 Olympics. (illustration) MAXPPP – Vincent Isore

This Wednesday, April 24, 2024, an investigation was opened by the National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's Office (Pnat) after the arrest at the beginning of the week of a 16-year-old minor, who planned to die as a martyr during the Paris Olympic Games.

This Wednesday, the Pnat opened an investigation after the arrest of a 16-year-old minor who was planning a terrorist attack during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The young suspect, arrested in Marignier in Haute- Savoie, had made remarks on the networks concerning the development of an explosive belt, reveals Le Parisien.

Confessions in police custody

The investigation is opened into the head of "participation in a criminal association with a view to preparing crimes against people", according to information from BFMTV. The individual was taken into custody by the General Directorate of Internal Security (DGSI) after being arrested at his parents' home.

Following a report, the 16-year-old, of French nationality, made worrying comments on Telegram messaging. The teenager was looking for the necessary parts to make an explosive belt and added that he wanted "to die as a martyr in the name of the Islamic State (IS) organization )", details daily life.

During the searches carried out, several damning documents were found such as an oath of allegiance to Daesh, or even his phone which should be analyzed. During police custody, the young suspect explained his plan to attack, equipped with a rifle and an explosive belt and "to die under police bullets" in the La Défense district, reports Le Parisien.

"His current custody aims to determine, in light of of the personality of the person in custody, the reality of the planned terrorist act and, if applicable, its state of completion", indicates  a representative of the Pnat.

Note that several violent actions have already been foiled in France this year. As a reminder, the terrorist organization IS recently struck Russia with the deadly attack on Crocus City Hall, in the suburbs of Moscow.