French authorities successfully thwarted a potential bombing incident near the Bank of America in Paris during the early hours of March 28. A man was apprehended while attempting to set off a homemade explosive device outside the bank’s premises.
The incident occurred around 3:30 AM in the 8th arrondissement, close to the Champs-Élysées. Law enforcement noticed a suspicious individual who had assembled an explosive device made from five liters of fuel and was attempting to ignite it with a lighter. Officers quickly intervened and arrested the suspect.
Initial assessments by police indicated that the incendiary component of the device contained approximately 650 grams of explosive material. The device has since been sent to the forensic laboratory of the Paris police for further analysis.
Upon his arrest, the suspect claimed to be a minor from Senegal, although his identity is currently under verification. Authorities noted that another individual was present at the scene but fled upon the arrival of the police.
The French National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office (PNAT) has taken over the investigation, confirming that the detained individual remains in custody. The inquiry is focused on the attempted use of fire or other dangerous means related to terrorist activities and participation in a terrorist conspiracy.
Both the Paris judicial police and the French internal security service are involved in the ongoing investigation.
Sources indicate that the suspect claimed he was recruited via Snapchat to carry out the bombing in exchange for a payment of 600 euros.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez commended the swift actions of law enforcement, which he stated prevented a violent attack in Paris. During an interview with BFMTV, he suggested that the motive for the planned attack may be linked to the conflict in the Middle East.
French police have arrested a man attempting to detonate a homemade bomb near the Bank of America in Paris. The National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's Office is now investigating the incident, which may be linked to recruitment via social media.
Source: France 24