Approximately 1,000 people have been barred from the Paris Olympics. They are suspected of possible interference on behalf of a foreign state, according to French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin, as reported by AP. “There are 1,000 people whom we suspect of foreign interference — we can say spying,” Darmanin said.
Recently, French intelligence services in Paris arrested a Russian national on suspicion of planning to destabilize the political situation during the Olympic Games, according to Le Parisien. The 40-year-old man was apprehended after searches of his apartment, stated the French General Directorate for Internal Security.
The suspect had been under surveillance for some time. His apartment is located near the venue for the Olympic opening ceremony. French agents observed signs that the Russian was preparing “operations in the interest of Russia to destabilize the situation in France,” an investigative source said. Another source indicated that this was part of a “large-scale scheme” whose consequences could have been severe.
The Russian national has been informed of charges related to working for a foreign state to incite internal tension in France. The man has been placed under arrest while the investigation, led by the Paris prosecutor’s office, continues.
In addition to Russia, “interfering and manipulating information” are occurring from several other countries, Minister Darmanin emphasizes. Overall, one million Olympic volunteers, workers, and other individuals involved in the Games have undergone checks. There is also scrutiny of those applying for passes to enter the most tightly controlled security zone in Paris, along the Seine River.
“We’re here to make sure … that sport isn’t used for spying, for cyberattacks or to criticize and sometimes even lie about France and the French,” Darmanin said. Previously, the minister expressed concerns about attempts by Russia to use the Olympics for espionage or to discredit France.
Cover: AP Photo/Thomas Padilla
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