Sabotage Incidents Raise Security Concerns as Paris Olympics 2024 Underway
ICARO Media Group
French security officials are investigating multiple acts of coordinated sabotage targeting critical infrastructure amidst the ongoing Paris Olympics 2024. In the latest incident, fiber optic cables used by several major telecoms providers were found cut in several areas of France, impacting traditional telephone and cell phone data services. Counterterrorism police have joined the investigation, with a 28-year-old suspect being arrested and questioned in connection to the sabotage.
Prior to the Olympics' opening ceremony, three railway installations outside Paris were attacked, causing widespread delays to France's high-speed train network. Authorities are looking into the possible involvement of ultra-left wing groups in these incidents. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin mentioned that left-wing activists are under scrutiny for their potential roles in these attacks.
Paris police chief Laurent Nuñez acknowledged security concerns surrounding the sabotaged cables but refrained from providing new insights into the investigations. With France on its highest threat-alert level and heavily fortified for the Olympics, up to 45,000 uniformed police and 10,000 soldiers are ensuring a secure environment for the games. In addition to visible security measures, sophisticated artificial-intelligence-assisted cameras are installed at Olympic venues to monitor crowd movements and potential hazards.
Amidst security preparations, a separate incident involving a 40-year-old Russian national named Kirill Griaznov has come to light. Griaznov, a former lawyer turned chef, was arrested on charges of planning acts of "destabilization" at the Olympics opening ceremony on behalf of Russia's FSB intelligence services. French authorities suspect that these acts could have had serious consequences, prompting heightened vigilance during the games.
The unfolding security challenges underscore the complexities faced by authorities in safeguarding the Paris Olympics 2024 from potential threats. As investigations continue and security measures intensify, the focus remains on ensuring the safety and smooth conduct of the prestigious global event.