French Prosecutor Warns of Rising Jihadist Threat and Younger Profiles

National anti-terror prosecutor Olivier Christen highlights a 70% increase in terrorism cases in 2024 and a troubling rise in youth involvement.

Olivier Christen, France's national anti-terror prosecutor, reports a sharp resurgence in jihadist threats, with terrorism-related cases increasing by 70% in 2024 compared to 2023.
Nine terrorist attacks were thwarted in 2024, up from six in 2023, with the majority of those involved being under 22 years old.
The threat is now primarily 'endogenous,' driven by individuals radicalized within France through online propaganda rather than by foreign terror cells.
Authorities are observing a significant rise in youth radicalization, with 19 minors charged with terrorism offenses in 2024, compared to two to four annually in previous years.
Schools are playing a key role in identifying potential radicalization, with increased reporting to prevention systems enabling early interventions.