Three people have been arrested in connection with a suspected foiled bomb attack on the Bank of America's headquarters in Paris, according to France's anti-terrorism prosecutor's office.
An initial suspect was detained at the scene after he placed a device containing five litres of liquid, believed to be fuel, and an ignition system close to the bank, as reported by police sources. On Sunday, French security services stated that two more individuals were arrested following the incident, which occurred around 03:30 local time in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, just a couple of streets from the Champs-Élysées.
France's Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez suggested that the attempted attack might be linked to the ongoing US-Israel conflict with Iran, noting potential involvement from Iranian services operating through proxies. He emphasized the need for investigations to uncover the truth behind the incident.
The initial suspect was allegedly accompanied by another person who recorded the incident on a mobile phone but fled upon the arrival of law enforcement. French law allows for a 96-hour detention period in terrorism-related cases, which can be extended by a court.
Nuñez stated that similar attacks have been thwarted across other European nations, urging enhanced vigilance and increased security presence at transport hubs and other critical locations across France. The anti-terrorism prosecutor's office is now leading the investigation into the attempted arson and potential terrorist conspiracy surrounding the event. Other agencies, including the Paris judicial police and France's internal security service, are also engaged in the inquiry.
