Paris: French police have arrested two more individuals in connection with an attempt to place a homemade explosive device outside the Paris headquarters of Bank of America. The arrests follow an incident where a minor was detained on Saturday for their involvement in the foiled plot, which took place around 3:30 am in the upscale 8th arrondissement, near the Champs-€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬¦¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬¦¡¬¦¡¬°lys©es.
According to France24.com, French authorities successfully thwarted the bomb attack when they apprehended a man who was about to ignite the explosive device. This device reportedly consisted of five litres of liquid, suspected to be fuel, and an ignition system. The counter-terrorism prosecutor's office in France has taken charge of the investigation and confirmed the suspect was caught in the act and remains in police custody. The office is investigating charges of "attempted damage by fire or other dangerous means in connection with a terrorist undertaking" and "terrorist criminal conspiracy."
Both the Paris judicial police and the General Directorate for Internal Security (DGSI) are actively involved in the ongoing investigation. A police source indicated that the suspect claimed he was recruited via the Snapchat app to execute the bombing in exchange for 600 euros ($692). He was about to ignite the device with a lighter when apprehended by patrolling officers.
Another police source revealed that an accomplice was present during the incident, seemingly stepping back to record the crime with a mobile phone. A Bank of America spokesperson confirmed that they are aware of the situation and are maintaining communication with French authorities.
France's Interior Minister, Laurent Nunez, praised the rapid response of the police officers, especially considering "the current international situation." European nations have been on high alert for potential attacks on Iranian dissidents, Jewish places of worship, and US-Israeli assets since the onset of the Middle East conflict.