Three radicalized women, aged 18, 19 and 21, were arrested and are suspected of plotting an attack in Paris, as next week marks 10 years since the attacks in the French capital and the hostage-taking in the Bataclan hall, resulting in 130 deaths, the bloodiest terrorist attacks that France has known.
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Three radicalized young women, aged 18, 19 and 21, were arrested on suspicion of planning an attack in Paris, as next week marks 10 years since the attacks that left 130 dead in the Bataclan hall and other locations in the French capital, the worst terrorist attacks in the country's recent history.
The three women have been investigated since October 10 for “participation in a terrorist association with a view to preparing crimes against people”, the National Anti-Terrorist Prosecutor's Office (PNAT) informed. Their target was not precisely defined, but the intention was to attack bars or concert halls, i.e. places with many people.
The suspects, all of French nationality, were arrested in Lyon, Vierzon and Villeurbanne and remanded in custody on November 8. According to Le Parisien, they declare themselves Salafis and spend most of their time locked in their homes, watching jihadist propaganda on Snapchat, TikTok and Telegram, wearing full niqabs when they go out.
The 19-year-old, considered “the brains of the group”, she is unemployed and dropped out of high school. Her talks with an Islamist allowed the DGSI to uncover the plan, including the purchase of a Kalashnikov machine gun and the manufacture of explosive belts. The meetings between the three suspects strengthened the authorities' belief that they could have taken action.
The lawyer for the oldest suspect stated: “The investigation will certainly allow one to distinguish between truth and falsehood. As always, we must beware of jumping to conclusions.”
Jean-Baptiste Riolacci, the youngest girl's lawyer, added: “It remains to be determined whether the statements made constituted a serious threat or, as can be assumed, futile and unfortunate attempts by a very young girl to break out of her loneliness.”
The investigation continues to clarify the defendants' true intentions, the extent of the plan's progress and their ability to carry it out. All three contest the charges of planning the attack.
