Three individuals have been released from custody pending further investigation after allegedly placing five coffins at the base of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, a city gearing up to host the upcoming Olympic Games. The trio, hailing from Bulgaria, Germany, and Ukraine, positioned the coffins, draped with a French flag bearing the inscription 'French soldiers of Ukraine,' near the iconic Eiffel Tower on Saturday.
The motive behind this act remains unclear. With France currently on high alert in anticipation of the Summer Games scheduled from July 26 to August 11, the incident has raised concerns. The individuals were questioned by an investigative judge on Monday, with the prosecutor's office recommending charges of premeditated violence due to the psychological impact caused by placing coffins at a popular tourist spot like the Eiffel Tower.
Despite the questioning, the three men were not charged but designated as assisted witnesses under French law, allowing them to remain free as the investigation continues. The group involved in the Eiffel Tower incident includes the driver of the vehicle transporting the coffins, a 39-year-old Bulgarian, along with a 25-year-old German and a 16-year-old Ukrainian associated with him.
Recent events in France have heightened security concerns, with a thwarted terrorism plot targeting spectators at the Paris Olympics and other unsettling incidents like graffiti on the Holocaust Memorial and stencils of Stars of David on buildings. French authorities have attributed some of these incidents to external influences seeking to sow discord within French society.
The Eiffel Tower, a symbol of Paris and a key location for the upcoming Olympics, has been at the center of these unsettling occurrences. The Olympic rings will adorn the tower, and the medals for the Games will contain pieces of iron from the monument. The appearance of coffins at this iconic site has added to the unease surrounding the event.
As the investigation into the Eiffel Tower incident continues, French authorities remain vigilant to ensure the safety and security of all involved in the upcoming Paris Olympics.
