French authorities have thwarted a suspected terror plot following a series of arrests and explosive discoveries in Paris.
Police in Paris arrested two men on Sunday on suspicion of criminal conspiracy linked to a terrorist plot, as well as possession of explosives, according to France’s national anti-terrorist prosecutor’s office.
French media outlets reported that the main suspect, a 19-year-old from northern France, is believed to have connections with the Islamic State militant group – claims his lawyer has firmly denied.
Both men remain in custody, while a third individual has been charged for failing to report a terrorist offence and placed under legal supervision, prosecutors confirmed.
All three are over the age of 18, although officials did not disclose their exact ages or how far their alleged plans had progressed.
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Alleged Islamic State links
According to French broadcaster RTL, police searching the main suspect’s home discovered what appeared to be a homemade explosive vest.
Le Parisien newspaper reported that the 19-year-old had written a pledge of allegiance to Islamic State and was allegedly planning to carry out an attack in a public space.
His arrest reportedly led to the detention of two associates.
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One of them, aged 21, is believed to have supplied the suspect with a dummy weapon, which was later posted on social media, according to press reports.
"My client is not radicalised and does not subscribe to any jihadist ideology," his lawyer, Reda Ghilaci, told RTL.
