France: Two new arrests over foiled Bank of America attack

France: Two New Arrests in Thwarted Bank of America Attack

French law enforcement officials have detained two additional individuals linked to a foiled bombing attempt at the Bank of America headquarters in Paris. The first suspect, already in custody, faces extended detention as part of the ongoing investigation. This follows reports from the AFP news agency that the attack was halted just hours before it could have occurred.

The incident occurred at approximately 3:30 a.m. local time, near the Bank of America building on the outskirts of Paris’ famous Champs-Elysees district. Police identified two men carrying a shopping bag close to the site. One was seen preparing to ignite a device containing fuel and an ignition system when he was stopped. His accomplice fled the scene, though the device was recovered and analyzed. Forensic experts confirmed the presence of around 650 grams of explosive powder within the contraption.

Authorities have initiated a probe into potential terrorism-related offenses, including arson, explosive device manufacturing, and possession of weapons intended for harmful acts. The PNAT, France’s national anti-terrorism prosecutor’s office, reported the investigation to the Associated Press, emphasizing the suspects’ alleged involvement in a terrorist network. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez praised the swift response of the Paris police prefecture, calling it a successful prevention of a nighttime terrorist attack.

“The rapid intervention of the Paris police prefecture unit made it possible to thwart a violent act of a terrorist nature overnight in Paris,” Nunez stated in a message on X. “Vigilance remains at a very high level,” he added, acknowledging the readiness of security forces amid current global tensions.

According to an unnamed police source cited by AFP, the initial suspect was recruited through Snapchat to execute the bombing in exchange for €600, approximately $692. A Bank of America representative confirmed awareness of the situation and ongoing coordination with French authorities. As a result of recent US-Israeli strikes on Iran, heightened security measures have been implemented at US-related institutions and Jewish community sites.

Protective protocols for certain Iranian opposition figures in exile have also been reinforced. The article notes that the video embedded in the original content requires JavaScript support and recommends using an HTML5-compatible browser for optimal viewing. Edited by: Darko Janjevic and Natalie Muller