France opens terrorism investigation after attempted attack on Bank of America in Paris

A police van is seen in front of the building that houses Bank of America offices, after anti-terrorism prosecutors opened an investigation into an alleged attack in Paris. REUTERS/Clotaire Achi French anti-terrorism prosecutors have opened an investigation into an alleged attack targeting the Bank of America headquarters in Paris, following the arrest, during the early hours of the morning, of a man who allegedly tried to light an improvised explosive device outside the North American bank’s premises. 🗒️ Do you have any reporting suggestions? Send to g1 In a statement emailed to Reuters, the national anti-terrorism prosecutor’s office said the investigation involves suspicion of attempted destruction by fire or other dangerous means in connection with a terrorist plot, as well as the manufacture, possession and transportation of an incendiary or explosive device. The investigation also includes an accusation of participation in a terrorist criminal association, covering possible links with accomplices or a wider network. It was entrusted to the judicial unit of the Paris police and France’s domestic intelligence agency, the DGSI. French newspaper Le Parisien and other media outlets previously reported the arrest of a man at the scene, citing police sources. See the videos that are trending on g1 “Congratulations to the (Paris) police rapid response team, whose actions thwarted a violent terrorist attack in Paris last night,” said French Interior Minister Laurent Núñez in a social media post. “Surveillance remains at a higher level than ever before. I congratulate all security and intelligence forces, who are fully mobilized under my authority in the current international context.” Paris police declined to comment. “We are aware of the situation and are communicating with authorities,” a Bank of America spokesperson told Reuters. The suspect was detained around 3:25 a.m. (local time) in the city’s 8th arrondissement, or district, while trying to ignite the explosive device, Le Parisien newspaper reported, adding that he was taken into custody, while a second individual present fled the scene and remains at large. According to Le Parisien, the suspect told the police that he was contacted via Snapchat and that he was paid 600 euros to carry out the act, adding that he was taken to the location by another person. The device consisted of a 5-liter container containing an unidentified liquid and an explosive charge of approximately 650 grams of gunpowder, the French newspaper reported. He was seized and handed over to forensic experts at the Paris police laboratory. A police van is seen in front of the building that houses Bank of America offices, after anti-terrorism prosecutors opened an investigation into an alleged attack, in Paris REUTERS/Clotaire Achi

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