French teen arrested for planning IS‑linked terrorist attack
The French prosecutor's office has detained a 19-year-old suspect along with two of his relatives on suspicion of planning a terrorist attack. According to the newspaper "Le Parisien," the young man allegedly pledged allegiance to the Islamic State.
What do you need to know?
- Arrest of the 19-year-old: The French prosecutor's office has taken a young man into custody suspected of planning a terrorist attack.
- Ties to the Islamic State: The detainee reportedly pledged allegiance to the terrorist organization IS.
- Arrest of relatives: Two relatives of the 19-year-old were also detained, with one remaining in custody.
According to RTL, the potential targets on the suspect's list included a youth center, a restaurant, a nightclub, and Jewish community centers. A search of his home revealed a martyr's belt, reinforcing the seriousness of his intentions.
The 19-year-old planned a terrorist attack in France
"Le Parisien" reports that the man, residing in Dunkirk, pledged allegiance to IS, the Islamist terrorist organization seeking to establish a global caliphate. He has been charged with planning acts of violence and conspiracy of a terrorist nature by the prosecutor.
During the search of the 19-year-old's home, investigators found a so-called martyr's belt, a vest filled with explosives. The man also shared videos of perpetrators of Islamist terrorist attacks in France and content glorifying these acts on social media, which could indicate his radicalization and intentions.
The Francebleu portal reports that the arrest of the three men— the 19-year-old and his two relatives— was made possible by a relative of one of the suspects, who reported his suspicions to the police.
Both detained individuals, including the 19-year-old, remain in custody. The third individual, accused of failing to report the criminal intention, is under court supervision.
