Three men have been arrested in France on suspicion of advancing a jihadist plot in which they considered joining the Islamic State in Africa and carrying out an attack against the Jewish community in France.
According to France’s National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office, or PNAT, the three were investigated on suspicion of “criminal association with a terrorist organization for the purpose of preparing acts of terrorism” and were then placed in custody overnight between Friday and Saturday. The investigation is being handled by France’s domestic intelligence service, the DGSI.
French police arrested 3 men on suspicion of 'criminal association with a terrorist organization for the purpose of preparing acts of terror
(Photo: Kristy Sparow / Getty Images)
The investigation was opened in early July following jihadist activity detected among members of a WhatsApp group called “Soldiers of Allah.” Based on information gathered during the investigation, the three suspects were arrested. The main suspicion is that they were preparing to leave France in order to join ISIS in Africa, while investigators also suspect they considered carrying out a “violent action” targeting the Jewish community.
At this stage, these remain allegations, and the investigation is expected to determine the scope of the planning and how far the preparations had progressed toward an operational plan. Another detail adding sensitivity to the case is a possible connection between one of the suspects in France and a woman arrested in the United States in August on suspicion of planning, on behalf of ISIS, to carry out a bombing attack at the New York State Capitol.
According to a report by RTL, the woman is 35-year-old Jessica Bowie, who is suspected in the United States of planning the attack. A source close to the French investigation confirmed to AFP that “there is a connection between one of the suspects brought before the judge and a woman arrested by the FBI in the United States.”
On Friday, France’s National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office opened a formal judicial investigation and asked that the three be charged on suspicion of terrorist conspiracy and held in custody pending further proceedings. The court granted the request and ordered their detention.
The case highlights the close monitoring by French security services of jihadist networks online, particularly when propaganda activity and discussions in closed groups may develop into planning for actual terrorist activity.