Olympic Games in Paris: Russian chef arrested for conspiracy to “provoke hostilities”

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French police have arrested a 40-year-old Russian chef on suspicion of planning “large-scale” destabilizing acts during the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris.

During a raid on his apartment on the right bank of the Seine on Sunday, officials found documents allegedly linked to the Russian special forces belonging to the FSB secret service.

The man is currently under investigation for passing intelligence information to a foreign power in order to “provoke hostilities in France” and is in custody.

The crime is punishable by up to 30 years in prison. The public prosecutor’s office ruled out a terrorist background, but no further details about the alleged plan are known.

The man’s name was not disclosed. However, he has been living in France since 2010 and has been persecuted by the French authorities in recent months, the local press reported.

After participating in Russian reality shows, he trained as a chef in Paris, reported Le Monde.

Last month, Microsoft’s Threat Analysis Centre said Russia may be preparing “malicious disinformation campaigns” using artificial intelligence to stage false threats of violence at the 2024 World Cup in Paris.