Olympic security concerns grow after French police grapple with series of attacks

A series of violent attacks has left French police in a panic just before the opening of the Olympic Games in Paris on July 26. Although the incidents appear to be unrelated, police suspect at least some of them may be linked to terrorism.

France is under strict security measures as the country prepares to welcome millions of visitors, athletes and heads of state and government at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

Police arrested a man on terrorism charges on Friday, accused of attempting to murder a taxi driver with a knife while expressing support for the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

The man, who was known to the authorities as radicalized, stopped a taxi in the city of Le Mans on Tuesday evening while waving a weapon.

He reportedly forced the driver out of the car, tied him up and attacked his neck with the blade.

The driver managed to escape into a local resident’s house, where he was eventually treated by emergency services.

The attacker was arrested early Friday morning in Yvelines, west of Paris. He is being investigated for terrorism, attempted murder and kidnapping.

Police officer stabbed

Meanwhile, French prosecutors said on Friday that an attacker who stabbed a French police officer near the Champs-Elysées in Paris was also suspected of killing a teenager earlier in the day.

A police officer shot the suspect on Thursday after he attacked another officer with a knife. The injured officer is expected to survive.

The suspect is a man with a history of mental health problems and violence.

(with news agencies)

Read more on RFI English

Also read:
Who needs QR codes to get around during the Paris Olympics?
French authorities say they have foiled an attack on football fans at the Olympic Games
France is rapidly building a huge army camp for security at the Olympic Games in Paris