Russian man behind the bars for over allegations of ‘destabilizing’ Paris Olympics 2024
A 40-year-old Russian man was put behind bars on Sunday, July 21, for allegedly trying to ‘destabilize’ the Paris Olympics 2024. Reports in Le Parisien claimed that the perpetrator tried to pass 'intelligence to a foreign power in order to arouse hostilities in France'.
However, it has been assumed that the person did not try and trigger a terror attack amid the quadrennial event.
After the allegations surfaced, the French interior ministry ordered a search at the residence of the man, the prosecutors said. On Tuesday, July 23, the man was placed in pre-trial detention after being indicted.
If found guilty, the man will be sentenced to up to 30 years. The incident comes to the fore less than a week before the opening ceremony takes place in Paris on Friday, July 26.
Sport is not used for espionage: Gerald Darmanin before the Paris Olympics 2024
French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said that screenings have been conducted for over a million people ahead of the Paris Olympics 2024, including athletes, media personnel, coaches, security guards and local people.
“We are here to ensure that sport is not used for espionage, cyberattacks or to criticize and sometimes even lie about France and the French,” Mr. Darmanin said.
So far, 4,360 people have not been granted access to the Athlete's village. Out of them, 880 were not allowed after being found suspicious of foreign interference. AFP referred to sources in proximity to the French Interior Minister while reporting about the ones not getting access.
As far as Russia is concerned, 15 athletes from the country will be a part of the Paris Olympics 2024, as reported by the BBC. Daniil Medvedev, a former US Open champion, is the most high-profile athlete from Russia.
These athletes will take part as neutral athletes and national anthems will be played if any of the athletes win a medal. Paris Olympics 2024 is all set to get underway on July 26 and will continue until August 11.