France Files Preliminary Terrorism Charges Against Teenager Accused of Plan to Attack Olympic Fans

France Files Preliminary Terrorism Charges Against Teenager Accused of Plan to Attack Olympic Fans
Gendarmes patrol in front of the Mont-Saint-Michel before the Olympic torch relay arrives at the famous island in Brittany, France, on May 31, 2024. Jeremias Gonzalez/AP Photo
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PARIS—French authorities on Friday raised preliminary terrorism charges against an 18-year-old accused of a plot targeting spectators attending soccer games at the upcoming Paris Olympics. The interior minister said it was the first such thwarted plot targeting the Games, which start in eight weeks as France is on its highest threat alert level.

The man is accused of planning a ‘’violent action’’ on behalf of the ISIS terrorist group’s jihadist ideology, the national counterterrorism prosecutor’s office said in a statement Friday. The man, who was not identified, is behind held in custody pending further investigation.