France opens terror probe after Paris Bank of America attack attempt

By Mathieu Rosemain

PARIS, March 28 (Reuters) - ‌French anti-terrorism prosecutors ​have opened ​an investigation into a suspected attack targeting Bank of America’s Paris headquarters after the reported overnight arrest of a man who allegedly tried to ignite ‌an improvised explosive device outside the U.S. bank’s premises.

In an e-mailed statement to ⁠Reuters, the national anti-terrorism prosecutor's office said the investigation involves the suspected attempted destruction by fire or other ‌dangerous means in connection with a ‌terrorist plot, as well as the manufacture, possession and transport of an incendiary or explosive device.

The investigation also includes a charge of participation in a terrorist criminal association, ​covering potential links to accomplices or a broader network. It has been entrusted to the Paris police judicial unit and France’s domestic intelligence agency, the DGSI.

French newspaper Le Parisien ⁠and other media earlier reported the arrest of a man at the scene, citing police sources.

"Well done to the rapid ​response team from the (Paris) police authority, whose actions thwarted a violent terrorist attack in Paris last night," French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said in ​a social media post.

"Vigilance remains at a higher level ‌than ever. I congratulate all the security and intelligence forces, who are fully mobilised under my authority in the current international context."

The Paris ⁠police authority declined to comment.

"We are aware of the situation and are communicating with the authorities," a spokesperson for Bank of America told Reuters.

The suspect was arrested at around 3:25 a.m. local time (0225 GMT) ⁠in the city’s 8th arrondissement, or district, as he tried to light the explosive device, Le Parisien reported. ​He was taken into custody, while a second individual who was present fled the scene and remains at large, Le Parisien added.

The suspect told police he had been contacted via Snapchat and paid 600 ‌euros ($690) to carry out the act, adding that he had been driven to the scene by another person, Le Parisien reported.

The device consisted of a ‌5-litre container filled with an unidentified liquid and an explosive charge made of about 650 grams of ⁠powder, the French newspaper reported. It ‌was secured and handed over ​to forensic experts from the Paris police laboratory, it reported.

($1 = 0.8690 euros)

(Reporting by Mathieu Rosemain; Additional reporting by Saeed Azhar; Editing by Joe Bavier and ‌Louise Heavens)

---

Serious News for Serious Traders! Try StreetInsider.com Premium Free!

---

You May Also Be Interested In

• BofA Securities Starts Houlihan Lokey (HLI) at Buy
• Shein wins Chinese approval for Hong Kong IPO
• Sudan's cholera outbreak may get worse due to conflict and rains, WHO warns