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Authorities apprehended one individual while another managed to flee.
The charges under investigation include attempted arson or using hazardous methods, crafting incendiary or explosive devices, possessing and transporting such devices with the intent to cause significant damage, and participation in a terrorist organization.
A suspect is currently in police custody.
“Kudos to the swift response of a unit from the Paris police prefecture, which successfully prevented a potentially violent terrorist act last night in Paris,” stated Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez.
“Our vigilance remains extremely heightened,” Nuñez added.
“I commend all security and intelligence forces, fully mobilised under my authority in the current international context.”
RTL radio, citing police sources, reported that the incident took place early Saturday (Paris time) when police officers spotted two suspects carrying a shopping bag near the premises of the Bank of America in the 8th arrondissement of the French capital.
One of the suspects, holding a lighter, was attempting to ignite a device, RTL said, while the second suspect managed to escape.
The Paris police prefecture declined to comment.
Since the Iran war broke out, French authorities have increased personal protection of some figures from the Iranian opposition and stepped up security around sites that could be a target, including sites linked to US interests and to the Jewish community, Nuñez said earlier this week.
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