Image @ Reuters
Authorities have apprehended three individuals in connection with an attempted bomb attack on the Bank of America’s headquarters, according to France’s anti-terrorism prosecutor’s office.
The initial suspect was taken into custody at the scene after allegedly placing a device containing five liters of liquid, suspected to be fuel, along with an ignition system near the bank. The incident occurred around 03:30 local time (01:30 GMT) on Saturday in the 8th arrondissement, just a few streets from the renowned Champs-Élysées.
On Sunday, French security officials confirmed that two additional suspects were arrested as part of the ongoing investigation.
France’s Interior Minister, Laurent Nuñez, suggested that the attempted attack might be connected to the ongoing US-Israel conflict involving Iran.
”In such conflicts, various Iranian entities may engage in actions like this through intermediaries,” Nuñez stated. “There is considerable suspicion, but it is up to the investigation to clarify the details.”
The Iranian embassy in France has yet to respond to Nuñez’s comments.
The first suspect, who is reportedly a minor, was accompanied by another individual who appeared to be documenting the scene with a mobile phone. The second person fled when law enforcement arrived, as per police sources.
The prosecutor’s office announced that the custody of the initial suspect has been extended. Under French law, individuals involved in terrorism-related cases can be detained for up to 96 hours, with potential extensions granted by a court.
Minister Nuñez noted that similar plots have been thwarted in other European countries, including the Netherlands, Britain, and Norway. He urged security forces to remain “extra vigilant” and to bolster their presence at transportation hubs and other critical locations throughout France.
The anti-terrorism prosecutor’s office has taken charge of the investigation, which is examining “attempted damage by fire or other dangerous means in connection with a terrorist undertaking” and a “terrorist criminal conspiracy.” The Paris judicial police and France’s domestic intelligence agency, the General Directorate for Internal Security, are also participating in the inquiry.
By: Madeline Moore