A French police officer has been detained in a case involving suspected far-right terrorism, weapons offences and online incitement, according to sources cited by AFP and a report by TF1/LCI. A judicial source said the officer allegedly followed a “violent radical far-right ideology” and was suspected of preparing a terrorist attack.
A source close to the investigation told AFP that the 35-year-old officer was arrested on the street on August 23. He has since been held in detention while awaiting trial, according to the report. The supplied material does not identify the officer or specify where the arrest took place.
The allegations include planning violent attacks against state interests and manufacturing weapons with a 3D printer, according to TF1/LCI as cited by AFP. The officer is also accused of unauthorised weapons manufacture or trade linked to a terrorist organisation, unauthorised possession of weapons and encouraging terrorism through social media.
The charges are accusations at this stage. The officer’s lawyers had not responded to AFP by Thursday evening, according to the supplied source text, and no details were provided about evidence gathered by investigators or any alleged targets.
The case comes after the National Rally, France’s far-right political party, expelled another police officer following the publication of body-camera footage showing him making racist comments, the report said. Marine Le Pen, the party’s leader, is seeking the French presidency in next year’s elections, according to the same account. The supplied material does not establish any connection between the two police officers or between the criminal investigation and the party.