French anti-terror police have detained an alleged neo-Nazi sympathizer suspected of planning to target the Olympic torch relay, as announced by Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin on Wednesday. The man was apprehended at his residence in the Alsace region of eastern France, where he reportedly operates a group called 'French Aryan division' on the social media platform Telegram. The detainee is under investigation for alleged death threats, hate speech, and other concerning online posts.
The Paris prosecutor's office clarified that the suspect's comments, which prompted the investigation by their online hate-fighting unit, did not explicitly mention the Paris Olympics. However, Minister Darmanin indicated a potential intention to disrupt a stage of the torch relay. The Olympic torch is currently on its final stretch across France and overseas territories before the Games' commencement on July 26.
Darmanin highlighted the individual's prior police record, noting his association with ultra-right and neo-Nazi ideologies. The suspect's alleged inclination towards targeting political figures or individuals of immigrant backgrounds raised serious concerns.
In addition to death threats and hate speech, the suspect is also being probed for sharing personal information that could endanger others and disseminating bomb-making instructions. The security measures for the upcoming Paris Olympics involve a significant deployment of law enforcement, with up to 45,000 police and gendarmes, alongside a 10,000-strong military presence safeguarding the capital and its environs.
