A 16-year-old boy has been arrested in France after allegedly saying on social media that he wanted to martyr himself by making an explosive belt at this summer's Paris Olympics, authorities said.
The anti-terrorism prosecutor's office announced that the teenager from France's southeastern Haute-Savoie department was arrested on Tuesday, adding that an investigation had been launched on Wednesday.
Anti-terrorism prosecutors said the boy was arrested “after he announced on social media his intention to build an explosive belt with the aim of dying as a martyr.”
According to police officials, a handwritten document pledging allegiance to the Islamic State group was discovered during a search of the boy's parents' home.
The same source said the boy carried out a “terrorist act” with a gun and explosive belt in La Défense, a business district west of the capital that also includes an arena where swimming and water polo competitions are held. He admitted that he was planning. game.
Anti-terrorism prosecutors said work was underway to determine the boy's exact intentions.
France's domestic intelligence agency, DGSI, is investigating. France will host the Olympic Games in Paris from July 26 to August 11, but safety during the Games is a major concern.
The government raised the terror alert level to the highest level in March.
