Islamic Terrorist Attack on Paris 2024 Olympics Thwarted: Chechen Asylum Seeker Arrested

A planned Islamic terrorist attack targeting the Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium in Saint-Étienne during the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics has been successfully foiled. Rokhman B., an 18-year-old Chechen asylum seeker, was arrested for his involvement in plotting the Islamic attack. In contact with ISIS fighters, he aimed to kill “disbelievers.”

The suspect was apprehended at his residence after conducting reconnaissance missions. Indicted on May 26 for leading a terrorist criminal association with the intent to commit attacks, Rokhman B. is now in pre-trial detention. The National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office (PNAT) continues to investigate.

Denial Despite Strong Evidence

During police custody, Rokhman B. denied planning an attack, claiming his encrypted communications were merely tough talk. However, the evidence is damning. He had been in contact with Daesh and other Islamic radicals, discussing potential targets. Police found a photo of the Saint-Étienne stadium on his computer and videos on his phone. While his plans lacked detailed organization and relied on “artisanal means,” the threat was taken seriously.

A New Threat in France

Previously unknown to authorities, Rokhman B. and his family arrived in France as asylum seekers in 2023. His rapid radicalization and intent to commit violence highlight the unpredictable nature of such threats. His brother, a minor, was also arrested but later released, with no charges pressed against him.

50th Foiled Attack Since 2017

Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin praised the intelligence services for their vigilance. This incident marks the first foiled attack against the Paris 2024 Games and the 50th foiled attack since 2017. With six football matches scheduled at Saint-Étienne’s Geoffroy-Guichard stadium between July 24 and 31, security measures are more critical than ever.

Profile of the Jihadi

Rokhman B. was in communication with jihadists from the Islamic State group in Khorasan (EI-K or ISPK), a violent faction responsible for numerous attacks. He expressed a desire to cause mass casualties at the Olympic venue, targeting spectators and police alike, stating, “If I carried out an attack there, it would cause a lot of victims,”. His encrypted exchanges in Cyrillic suggested coordination with Russian-speaking EI-K members and his wish to kill “disbelievers” before dying as a martyr.

Historical Warnings About ISPK’s Threat

Clare Lopez’s warnings about ISPK, highlighted in her October 2021 interview with RAIR Foundation USA, highlight the urgent need for the West to address the group’s growing threat. Based on the group’s history and activities in Afghanistan, Lopez emphasized ISPK’s global ambitions and its potential to exploit regional instability.

Lopez pointed out that despite occasional internal conflicts, the ideological alignment among groups like Al-Qa’eda, IS-KP, and the Taliban presents a unified front in their commitment to establishing an Islamic state. This aligns with the recent activities of ISPK in Europe, indicating a continuation of their long-term objectives.

A Wake-Up Call for France

This incident serves as another reminder of the persistent jihadist threat in France. With the Paris 2024 Olympic Games approaching, many are questioning how France will be able to protect the massive number of athletes and visitors from across the world when they cannot even protect their own citizens from the imported Islamic threat.