2024 Olympics: Two Russian Women and a Frenchman Arrested Attempting to Breach Anti-Terror Perimeter

The case is under intense scrutiny by internal intelligence services. On Monday evening, two young Russian women and a 44-year-old French man were apprehended in the Alma district while attempting to breach the security perimeter surrounding the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympics. They were found trying to enter the restricted internal security and anti-terrorism zone (SILT).

During the investigation, police discovered a 25-year-old Russian woman hidden in the trunk of the vehicle driven by the French man. The stowaway, along with the driver and another young Russian woman traveling with him, was taken into custody by the General Directorate for Internal Security (DGSI).

Further inquiry revealed that the woman concealed in the trunk had previously submitted two accreditation requests to the Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (COJOP). Both requests were denied following security reviews. Additionally, she had applied for a QR code in July, which was also rejected.

While the arrested individuals were briefly detained, they have since been released and will be summoned for further questioning as the DGSI continues its investigation. This incident coincides with reports from the Russian state agency Ria Novosti, which claimed that five journalists seeking to cover the event had their accreditation requests denied due to security concerns. Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov criticized this decision, calling it a violation of press freedom.

Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin confirmed that Paris had barred “less than a hundred people,” including those presenting themselves as journalists, technical staff, and physiotherapists, due to suspicions of interference activities. These individuals came from Russia, Belarus, and other countries. The professional backgrounds of the two Russian women arrested on Monday remain undisclosed.

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