Dozens of people have been arrested in France for attempting to disrupt the Olympic Games, according to Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin on Monday.
Security forces apprehended nearly 50 individuals, Darmanin disclosed to the France 2 television channel. They had intentions to carry out “sabotage actions or radical protests” during the initial Olympic competitions, but authorities thwarted their plans, he mentioned.
The newspaper Le Parisien detailed that 45 members of the radical environmental movement Extinction Rebellion were among those arrested. Their planned actions were geared towards protesting the social and ecological repercussions of the Olympics.
On Sunday, an ultra-left-wing activist was also taken into custody in Oissel, located about 121 kilometers northwest of Paris, as reported by Le Figaro.
The individual was apprehended at a French national train or SNCF site and was found to possess “access keys to SNCF technical premises” as well as “wire cutters and a set of universal keys” in his vehicle, along with literature associated with the ultra-left ideology, the report stated.
The Paris prosecutor’s office clarified that this arrest was not linked to the investigation into the arson attacks that disrupted traffic on Friday, just hours before the Olympics’ opening ceremonies, affecting numerous travelers. No arrests have been made in connection to that incident thus far, according to the office.
Additionally, Darmanin disclosed to France 2 that his office has identified potential suspects behind those attacks.
“We have pinpointed a number of individuals who may have been responsible for these deliberate and targeted acts of sabotage,” he revealed.
Darmanin further stated that the attacks align with “a traditional method of the far-left.”
A letter of responsibility, containing references to the radical left-wing scene and criticism of the Olympic Games, was sent to various media outlets.
Darmanin mentioned that it is crucial to determine the authenticity of the letter and whether individuals are merely attempting to claim credit for the acts.
Transport Minister Patrice Vergriete confirmed on the RTL channel that train services have returned to normalcy.
In relation to possible support for the perpetrators from individuals within the SNCF, Darmanin announced that this remains uncertain.
Overnight, unknown individuals have also vandalized fiber-optic networks in parts of France, although Paris, the current host of the summer Olympics, was not affected, as reported by French media on Monday.
Reports indicate that six out of France’s 101 administrative regions were impacted.
French acting Secretary of State for Digital Affairs, Marina Ferrari, in a post on X on Monday, highlighted the disruptions affecting local access to cable, landline, and mobile services. She stated that efforts are underway to fully restore the services.
“I strongly denounce these cowardly and irresponsible acts,” Ferrari expressed.
Le Parisien noted that service providers Bouygues, Free, and SFR were affected. SFR reported instances of vandalism in the six regions between 1 am (2300 GMT on Sunday) and 3 am, involving cable cuts that impacted both landline and mobile networks, including those of foreign providers utilizing the SFR network.
The exact number of individuals affected by the incident remains unknown, as per the newspaper report. No group has claimed responsibility for the damages.
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Conclusion:
As the drama surrounding the attempted disruption of the Olympic Games in France unravels, it becomes evident that conflicting ideologies can lead to drastic actions. The authorities’ swift response in thwarting potential sabotage highlights the importance of ensuring the safety and security of such global events. While the motives of the arrested individuals may vary, the repercussions of their actions have undoubtedly caused disruptions and raised concerns among the public. As investigations continue and new developments emerge, it serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between freedom of expression and the need to maintain order. Stay tuned to DeFi Daily News for more intriguing stories and updates on this evolving situation.
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