Three men aged between 19 and 24 were arrested in northern France on suspicion of planning a terrorist attack inspired by the November 13, 2015 attacks.
According to Le Figaro, the operation was carried out on April 3 by officers of the General Directorate for Internal Security (DGSI). Two of the suspects have been formally charged and placed in custody, while the third has been placed under judicial supervision. Investigators report that the men, originally from Lille and Dunkirk, were planning to carry out a suicide bombing in a public place to cause maximum casualties. Authorities were alerted by a relative of one of the suspects, who was concerned about an imminent attack.
One of the suspects, a 19-year-old resident of Dunkirk, was already known to law enforcement. He had posted videos on social media showing fake weapons and delivering speeches linked to jihadist ideology. His lawyer maintains that he does not hold radical views.
During a search of his home, police found a homemade vest containing firecrackers and a triggering device — a prototype intended as a test for constructing a real suicide belt. Investigators also discovered instructions for making TATP, a highly unstable homemade explosive, along with a letter pledging allegiance to the terrorist group Islamic State.
The case is being investigated under charges of participating in a terrorist organization and failing to prevent a crime against personal safety. According to the investigation, one of the suspects, believed to be the ringleader, had praised known terrorists and posted threats against “infidels” on Snapchat.
