France arrests Russian plotting destabilization during 2024 Olympics

France24 reported the information, citing the prosecutor's office.

The man, born in 1984, was detained and a judicial investigation was launched on suspicion of "organizing events that could lead to destabilization during the Olympic Games."

A source in the prosecutor's office said that an investigation had been opened into "the transfer of intelligence to a foreign state with the aim of inciting hatred in France," adding that the crime is punishable by up to 30 years in prison.

The prosecutor's office stated that during a visit to the man's home "at the request of the Interior Ministry", evidence of the suspected plans was found.

They did not provide any details of the alleged conspiracy, except to say that it was not of a terrorist nature and that the anti-terrorist prosecutor's office was not following the case.

Authorities have investigated more than one million people, including athletes, coaches, journalists, volunteers, security guards and even local residents near venues in the run-up to the Olympics, Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin told Paris Match weekly on Tuesday.

Of these, 4,360 were denied access to the Olympics, and sources noted that 880 people were banned from the Games due to suspicions of foreign interference.

• French President Emmanuel Macron has called for a "political truce" in the country as he tries to form a government after early elections during the Olympic Games, which start in Paris on July 26.