Foiled Bombing Plot in the North: Three Men Charged, Homemade Arsenal Found

Three men, aged 19 to 24, were arrested this week in the Dunkirk region (Northern France) as part of a suspected violent action plot. The investigation, led by the DGSI, the anti-terrorist sub-directorate (SDAT), and local forces, led to the opening of a judicial inquiry by the National Anti-Terrorist Prosecutor’s Office (PNAT), as reported by H24 NEWS, confirming information from RTL and Le Parisien.

A Radicalized Young Man Ready to Act

The alert was raised by a close acquaintance of the main suspect, concerned about an imminent attack. The 19-year-old suspect was arrested on Wednesday, April 2, by the RAID at a youth center. Upon his arrest, investigators discovered a homemade belt capable of carrying explosive devices, as well as a vest with firecrackers, a letter of allegiance to ISIS, and documents detailing how to make explosives.

Already under surveillance for threats made against the teenager Mila, the young man had radicalized online. Very active on social media, he shared content glorifying the Bataclan and Opera attacks and posted jihadist propaganda videos. He admitted to having entertained a bombing plot during a period of personal distress but claimed to have abandoned it — a statement contradicted by his online activity just before his arrest.

Accomplices Arrested, Investigation Ongoing

Two other individuals, close to the main suspect, were also arrested. One is suspected of providing him with a fake weapon, while the other is accused of knowing about his intentions but failing to report them.

The National Anti-Terrorist Prosecutor’s Office has charged the first two suspects with “criminal terrorist association” and “possession of substances or explosive materials in connection with a terrorist enterprise.” Both have been placed in pretrial detention. The third suspect, charged with “failure to report a terrorist crime,” has been placed under judicial supervision.

One of the suspects’ lawyer, Réda Ghilaci, firmly denies any radicalization of his client, arguing that the charges of participating in a terrorist enterprise “lack legal basis.”

This case, still under investigation, raises once again the issue of early detection of online radicalization signals and the prevention of isolated acts of terrorism.