French anti-terrorism investigators have arrested a young man from Alsace for threatening to commit violent acts during the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Heightened Vigilance
Known online as "Panzer," he was detained on July 17 by officers from the Anti-Terrorism Sub-Directorate (SDAT) in the Bas-Rhin region, according to Liternaute.
The suspect, who uses a pseudonym referencing German tanks from World War II, manages an extreme right-wing group called "Division Aryenne Française" on Telegram.
This group has been under scrutiny for its hate-filled rhetoric and incitements to violence. The arrest comes amid heightened vigilance by French anti-terrorism services, who are closely monitoring extremist threats ahead of the Olympic Games.
Disrupting Olympics
Authorities discovered neo-Nazi literature and other incriminating materials at Panzer’s residence, underscoring his ideological leanings. His threats were particularly focused on disrupting the Olympics and targeting specific individuals, including a drag queen, Minima Gesté, who participated in the Olympic torch relay in Paris on July 14.
Panzer's messages, later deleted but recovered by investigators, explicitly called for violent actions. One alarming message stated, "If this person carries the Olympic flame, I will act." He also issued threats against elected officials.
Further investigation revealed that Panzer and his group had previously advocated for violent actions following the European elections won by the National Rally party. His Telegram posts urged followers to engage in street violence and attack left-wing activists. Some of these threats were realized, with group members reportedly assaulting individuals and sharing videos of the attacks online.
