TerrorismEuro 2016 security fears heightened as Frenchman arrested in Ukraine
The Euro 2016, the European soccer championship tournament, opens this coming Friday amid growing security concerns. The Ukrainian security agency, the SBU, announced over the weekend that it had arrested a Frenchman who had in his possession a massive arsenal of weapons he had purchased in the Ukraine. The French media report that he was apparently not planning to target any Euro 2016 events. Rather, his idea was to attack other targets, exploiting the fact that thousands of security personnel would be diverted from their usual routines.
The Euro 2016, the European soccer championship tournament, opens this coming Friday amid growing security concerns.
The Ukrainian security agency, the SBU, announced over the weekend that it had arrested a Frenchman who had in his possession a massive arsenal of weapons he had purchased in the Ukraine.
EuroNews reports that the SBU said its initial interrogation found evidence that that the man, named by media as Grégoire M, was planning to use the arsenal in fifteen separate terrorist attacks in France during Euro 2016.
The arsenal included three rocket-launchers, about 100 detonators, more than 100 kilos of TNT explosives, and half a dozen Kalashnikov assault rifles – all neatly kept in wooden boxes in his vehicle when he was detained after trying to cross the border into Poland.
The 25-year-old, who has been linked with far-Right groups in France, told investigators he was planning to use the weapons in attacks on synagogues or mosques – but also on bridges, power stations, and transportations hubs.
The French media report that he was apparently not planning to target any Euro 2016 events. Rather, his idea was to attack other targets, exploiting the fact that thousands of security personnel would be diverted from their usual routines.
The man, who is held by Ukrainian authorities pending his extradition to France, was arrested on 21 May, but the SBU announced the arrest only this weekend.
French media report that the French security services last week searched the suspect’s home in the village of Nant-le-Petit in eastern France, and found bomb-making materials as well as a t-shirt with the insignia of a far-right group, M6 said.
He has no criminal record and was not on the security services’ radar.
The US. Department of State last Tuesday warned Americans that possible terrorist attack in Europe could include the Euro 2106 tournament in France, which runs from 10 June to 10 July, and which is expected to draw more than ten million foreign fans.
