Paris 'terror plot' probe: 4 held (Chem attack planned for holidays)

CNN Europe ^ | December 17, 2002 | CNN

[adaven]

PARIS, France -- Police in Paris have arrested four people in connection with a suspected plot to carry out terror attacks during the Christmas and New Year holidays.

French Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy said anti-espionage agents arrested four suspects and seized two phials of unidentified chemicals, as well as a protective suit for use against chemical or biological arms during the raid in the northern Paris suburb of La Courneuve.

[adaven]

FYI

[adaven]

This is a report from Guardian:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-2251722,00.html

Reports: 3 Algerians Arrested Near Paris

Tuesday December 17, 2002 2:00 PM

PARIS (AP) - Three alleged Islamic radicals arrested by French counterintelligence agents had possession of unidentified chemicals they were planning to use in an attack, according to judicial officials and media reports Tuesday.

The men, reportedly Algerians, were taken into custody on Monday in suburban Paris. They also had $5,000 in cash, a computer and Islamic propaganda documents, judicial officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The officials did not disclose the identity of the suspects but said it was believed they had spent time in training camps in Afghanistan and Chechnya.

Quoting unidentified police officials and agents from the counterintelligence service DST, the daily Le Parisien reported that the suspects had been preparing a chemical attack. French police teams removed the chemicals from a public housing project in the suburb La Courneuve after the arrests, the report said.

Judicial officials told The Associated Press that the exact nature of the substances would be determined by a laboratory study. It was unclear where and when the chemicals were to have been used.

Radio and TV news reports said the chemicals were capable of being turned into a gas that could be used to pollute public drinking water systems, but a spokeswoman for France's judicial police declined to comment on those reports.

The men are suspected of ``criminal association in connection with a terrorist enterprise'' in connection with an investigation begun Nov. 13 into the activities of Chechen groups, the daily Le Figaro reported. They were taken into custody on orders from top anti-terrorist judge Jean-Louis Bruguiere.

Bruguiere, who is investigating several plots and attacks both in France and abroad, has broad powers to pursue suspects, search their homes, tap their phones, arrest, interrogate and charge them.

The judge has stepped up arrests amid mounting concerns in Europe in recent weeks that a terror attack may be imminent. More than 20 suspects were taken into custody in five operations since Nov. 24, but only eight are still behind bars.

Most recently, Bruguiere last week ordered the detention of three suspects in an alleged suicide bombing plot against the U.S. Embassy in Paris. The suspects were released.

[Semper Paratus]

Tres Bon, Congratulations to Chief Inspector Closeau and his assistant Agent Pepe Le'Pieu.

[Aquinasfan]

"Even before we know the precise results of the analyses (on the products seized), it was better to arrest them before rather than wait until after," Sarkozy told parliament.

Good thinking.

[2right]

So, when will they surrender?

[eastsider]

Le Figaro and another newspaper, La Parisien, said in addition to the chemicals, $5,000 in cash, Islamic propaganda, and a computer were found in the apartment where the suspects were living.

The number of arrests worldwide is increasing exponentially with the number of computers found. Gotta love it.

[Ethan_Allen1777]

I wonder if the French would change their world view in regard to terrorism if they had a major attack within their borders?

[aristeides]

Is my recollection correct that the gas attack on the London tube was to be made with cyanide?

[aristeides]

The French have already had such an attack. Why do you think the chemical plant in Toulouse exploded in October '01?

[philosofy123]

Vive La France! Please do not make fun of my favorit country- France.

[swarthyguy]

Actually they've been well aware of terror; remember they had a plane hijacked a few years that was goig to crash into the eiffel tower; and those bombings of subways and synagogues in the mid90's - they were apparently one of the countries to warn us about jihadis in planes and have been on top of the saudi connections to terror that we try not to see too hard.

But, hey, pass the wine and cheese....

[ricpic]

To the barricades, mes freres.

[ricpic]

Les Francaises souvienent Poitiers!

[Shermy]

Is my recollection correct that the gas attack on the London tube was to be made with cyanide?

Think so. Tactic inspired by Aum Shinrikyo.

[knighthawk]

Yes, it is.

[Darlin']

"Islamist militants"
"Sarkozy said three Algerians and a Moroccan were arrested as part of the operation by anti-terrorist judge Jean-Louis Bruguiere. "

I see Reuters and CNN still can't bring themselves to call these "suspects" what they are, murderous muslim terrorists.