French Teen Arrested for Alleged Terrorist Plot
A 16-year-old of Chechen origin has been detained for planning a jihadist-inspired attack in France.
- The National Anti-Terrorist Prosecutor's Office has charged the teenager with 'association of terrorist criminals' for planning attacks against people.
- Authorities detained the minor last week in the Sarthe region, following investigations into potential targets, including a synagogue.
- The arrest highlights a concerning rise in the involvement of minors in radical Islamist terrorism in France, with 14 minors charged in 2024 alone.
- Recent years have seen several high-profile attacks in France linked to individuals from the North Caucasus, particularly Chechnya.
- The case is part of broader efforts to thwart jihadist threats, which account for 80% of anti-terrorism procedures in France.