Counter-terrorism: ten arrests in France

Gérard COLLOMB, Minister of State and Minister for the Interior, has welcomed the arrest of individuals linked to the far right who are suspected of planning to carry out an attack. Following extensive intelligence work carried out by the DGSI, the anti-terrorism section of the Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office decided on 13 April to open a preliminary investigation into criminal conspiracy to prepare one or more crimes against persons, an investigation entrusted to the DGSI. A judicial investigation was opened on 14 June. It was within this legal framework, and following extensive surveillance operations, that 10 arrests were made on Saturday evening across the country. Gérard COLLOMB praised “the constant commitment of the DGSI, which works day in, day out to protect the French people from any violent action, wherever it may come from”.