French police stopped what could have been a deadly attack in Paris. On Sunday, they arrested two men accused of planning a terrorist strike. The French national anti-terror prosecutor’s office, known as PNAT, confirmed the arrests.
Both men are now in pre-trial detention. They face serious charges. These include planning a terror attack and having materials that could be used to make bombs.
A third man is also under investigation. He is believed to have known about the plot but failed to tell the police. This is a crime under French law. All three are adults.
So far, police have not said how far the plan had gone. They are still looking into the full details. Investigators want to know if more people were involved or if more attacks were being planned.
Main Suspect a 19-Year-Old from Northern France
The main suspect is a 19-year-old man from northern France. His name has not been made public. Police searched his home and made a shocking discovery—a homemade explosive vest.
The French news outlet RTL reported that the suspect supported the terrorist group Islamic State (IS). He had made comments online that praised IS and their violent acts.
Another paper, Le Parisien, said the man had even pledged loyalty to IS. Police believe he was planning to use the vest in a crowded place. His goal may have been to hurt or kill many people.
Quick Action Leads to More Arrests
After arresting the first suspect, police moved fast. They tracked down two more people they believed were linked to the plot. One of them is the man who knew about the plan but kept silent.
Police have not shared many details about the second suspect. It is also not yet clear if he helped build the explosive vest or planned to take part in the attack.
Authorities say the investigation is still ongoing. They are looking into whether these suspects had help from anyone else, including possible foreign links.
Lawyer Denies Radical Views
The main suspect’s lawyer says the charges are false. In a talk with RTL, he said his client is not a terrorist and does not believe in violent ideas. He said the young man had no real connection to IS.
According to the lawyer, any online posts were taken out of context. He claims the young man has never shown signs of radical views. He added that the arrest has shocked the suspect’s family.
Officials Staying Alert After Recent Attacks
This arrest comes at a time when Europe is on high alert. Several countries, including France, have seen terror threats rise in recent years. Most of these threats are linked to small groups or lone attackers.
In October 2023, a teacher in northern France was stabbed to death by a teenager who claimed to act in the name of IS. That case shocked the country and led to tighter security in schools and public places.
France has also seen larger attacks in the past. The 2015 Paris attacks, carried out by IS, killed 130 people. Since then, police and intelligence services have worked hard to stop future threats.
Youth Radicalization a Growing Issue
Security experts say one big concern is the growing number of young people getting drawn into violent groups. Many are found online, where extremist content is easy to find. Some are even recruited through social media.
The 19-year-old suspect in this case is just one example. His age raises fears about how early people can become involved in such ideas. Experts warn that more work is needed in schools, families, and online to stop this trend.
France Strengthens Counter-Terror Actions
After these arrests, France is expected to boost security in key areas. Police may increase patrols in train stations, shopping malls, and event venues. Officials also plan to work more closely with tech companies to monitor online activity.
In 2024 alone, French police have stopped three planned attacks, according to government sources. Each case involved small groups or lone actors with radical ideas.
The French government says it will not back down. It promises to protect the people and prevent violence of any kind.
Safety Measures and More Vigilance Needed
The arrests in Paris show how real the threat of terrorism remains in Europe. Even young people can get involved in dangerous plots. Thanks to fast police work, lives may have been saved.
Authorities will continue to dig into this case and look for signs of other plans. As the investigation goes on, the public is urged to stay alert and report anything suspicious.