A Russian national has been detained and placed under preliminary investigation in Paris amid fears of a potential disruption at the upcoming Olympic Games, according to the local prosecutor’s office. The man was apprehended following a search of his residence, where authorities discovered evidence suggesting preparations for actions that could destabilize the games.
The prosecutor’s office stated that the suspect is under investigation for "intelligence with a foreign power with a view to provoking hostilities in France." If convicted, he faces up to 30 years in prison. No further details regarding the nature of the planned disruptions have been disclosed.
The Olympic Games are set to commence this week, with the official opening ceremony scheduled for Friday evening in central Paris. French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin recently announced that approximately 4,000 individuals had been barred from attending Olympic events, with particular scrutiny applied to Russian and Belarusian citizens.
In related news, the opening ceremony faces potential disruption from a planned strike by over 200 dancers. The dancers, protesting disparities in pay and housing conditions, have issued a strike notice for Friday. Negotiations are ongoing between the dancers' union, Paris 2024 organizers, and employers to address their demands for higher wages and additional support for the most vulnerable performers.
This situation is developing, and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
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