The French authorities have rejected more than 4,000 applications for accreditation to the Olympic Games in Paris, which begin on July 27, over fears that some are linked to radical Islamists and concerns about espionage and cyberattacks.
Acting Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin said in an interview with the Journal du Dimanche weekly that officials had processed almost a million applications in total and rejected 4,340 people.
“Almost a hundred of them were rejected due to concerns that they were agents trying to gain accreditation by pretending to be in another profession,” Darmanin said.
He added that these people applied as journalists or technical workers, and among their countries of origin were Belarus and Russia.
“They probably wouldn't come to carry out attacks on their own. But in addition to intelligence gathering and traditional espionage, they could gain access to computer networks for later cyberattacks,” Darmanin said.
“Almost a hundred of them were rejected due to concerns that they were agents trying to gain accreditation by pretending to be in another profession,” Darmanin said.
He added that these people applied as journalists or technical workers, and among their countries of origin were Belarus and Russia.
“They probably wouldn't come to carry out attacks on their own. But in addition to intelligence gathering and traditional espionage, they could gain access to computer networks for later cyberattacks,” Darmanin said.
Some Russian journalists have received accreditation and are already in Paris. The same goes for Russian employees of the International Olympic Committee.
“Apart from the current of the river [where water sports events will take place] and the possibility of bad weather, there is - so far - no identified threat to the Games. Neither our intelligence services nor the foreign services with which we cooperate have detected any foreign threat. However, we must remain humble and vigilant,” Darmanin told Journal du Dimanche.
The Polish foreign ministry said on a website dedicated to the Olympics: “The highest level of terrorist threat currently applies in France, meaning a high risk of attacks.
“However, the French authorities are planning to engage additional law enforcement and military forces to ensure full security during the games,” the Polish foreign ministry added.
Over 300,000 people are expected to attend the opening ceremony, lining both sides of the River Seine. Additionally, there will be a remarkable 45,000 police officers, including members of France’s elite special intervention forces trained in counterterrorism.
Meanwhile, snipers will be deployed on rooftops along the route, and an anti-drone system will be in operation.
The vast number of attendees is in stark contrast to the pandemic-stricken Tokyo Games in 2021.
“Apart from the current of the river [where water sports events will take place] and the possibility of bad weather, there is - so far - no identified threat to the Games. Neither our intelligence services nor the foreign services with which we cooperate have detected any foreign threat. However, we must remain humble and vigilant,” Darmanin told Journal du Dimanche.
Polish authorities express caution
The Polish foreign ministry said on a website dedicated to the Olympics: “The highest level of terrorist threat currently applies in France, meaning a high risk of attacks.
“However, the French authorities are planning to engage additional law enforcement and military forces to ensure full security during the games,” the Polish foreign ministry added.
Over 300,000 people are expected to attend the opening ceremony, lining both sides of the River Seine. Additionally, there will be a remarkable 45,000 police officers, including members of France’s elite special intervention forces trained in counterterrorism.
Meanwhile, snipers will be deployed on rooftops along the route, and an anti-drone system will be in operation.
The vast number of attendees is in stark contrast to the pandemic-stricken Tokyo Games in 2021.
Source: Polskie Radio 24, EUR Activ
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