MOSCOW: Ukraine’s intelligence agency has thwarted a plot to attack the European Championship soccer tournament in France by arresting a heavily-armed Frenchman who wanted to cross into the European Union, officials said Monday.
The Ukrainian Security Service, or SBU, said it had followed the man since December and allowed him to purchase five machine guns, two rocket-propelled grenade launchers, 125 kilograms (275 pounds) of TNT, 100 detonators and other weapons. He also bought 20 balaclavas before he was arrested at the Yahodyn border crossing between Ukraine and Poland last month, authorities said.
The SBU “has managed to foil a series of 15 terrorist attacks which were planned to target France before and during” Euro 2016, said Vasyl Hrytsak, the security agency’s chief.
The SBU didn’t identify the man but said the suspect wanted to protest against his government’s migration policies. It said he planned attacks on bridges, railways and other infrastructure for Euro 2016.
Extremist attacks are a major concern for French authorities as they prepare to host the monthlong tournament at stadiums in the Paris area and eight other cities from Friday through July 10. Daesh terrorists have threatened France during the tournament, but authorities haven’t confirmed specific dangers.
France is deploying a 90,000-strong security force for the tournament, and President Francois Hollande said Sunday night that the threat of attacks won’t stop it from being successful.
The Paris police prefect, Michel Cadot, declined to comment on the information from Ukraine, saying only that “there is no specific threat against any (Euro 2016) site.”
Ukraine’s intelligence agency had initially planned to keep a lid on the investigation, but decided to go public about the arrest after reports in international media, Hrytsak told national television.
The Ukrainian Security Service, or SBU, said it had followed the man since December and allowed him to purchase five machine guns, two rocket-propelled grenade launchers, 125 kilograms (275 pounds) of TNT, 100 detonators and other weapons. He also bought 20 balaclavas before he was arrested at the Yahodyn border crossing between Ukraine and Poland last month, authorities said.
The SBU “has managed to foil a series of 15 terrorist attacks which were planned to target France before and during” Euro 2016, said Vasyl Hrytsak, the security agency’s chief.
The SBU didn’t identify the man but said the suspect wanted to protest against his government’s migration policies. It said he planned attacks on bridges, railways and other infrastructure for Euro 2016.
Extremist attacks are a major concern for French authorities as they prepare to host the monthlong tournament at stadiums in the Paris area and eight other cities from Friday through July 10. Daesh terrorists have threatened France during the tournament, but authorities haven’t confirmed specific dangers.
France is deploying a 90,000-strong security force for the tournament, and President Francois Hollande said Sunday night that the threat of attacks won’t stop it from being successful.
The Paris police prefect, Michel Cadot, declined to comment on the information from Ukraine, saying only that “there is no specific threat against any (Euro 2016) site.”
Ukraine’s intelligence agency had initially planned to keep a lid on the investigation, but decided to go public about the arrest after reports in international media, Hrytsak told national television.
