Paris police chief: Islamist terrorism main concern ahead of Olympic Games

"The terrorist threat remains just as important as the protest threat posed by radical environmental groups, the ultra-left left and the pro-Palestinian movement," Nunez said.

 Police officer patrols on the Trocadero square in front of the Olympic rings displayed on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic games in Paris, France, June 7, 2024. (photo credit: REUTERS/SARAH MEYSSONNIER)
Police officer patrols on the Trocadero square in front of the Olympic rings displayed on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic games in Paris, France, June 7, 2024.
(photo credit: REUTERS/SARAH MEYSSONNIER)

Islamist terrorism is the main security worry ahead of the upcoming Paris Olympics, the French capital's chief of police, Laurent Nunez, said on Friday.

France is on its highest security alert as the Games approach. The country is also preparing for snap legislative elections at the end of June.

French authorities also recently foiled an attack on a sports stadium in another French city.

"Islamist terrorism remains our main concern," Nunez told a press conference seven weeks before the Olympics opening ceremony, which will be held on and along the River Seine on July 26.

 French police officers stand guard, near the Olympic rings which are displayed for the Paris 2024 Summer Games.  March 21, 2023. (credit:  REUTER/Yves Herman/File Photo)
French police officers stand guard, near the Olympic rings which are displayed for the Paris 2024 Summer Games. March 21, 2023. (credit: REUTER/Yves Herman/File Photo)

'No clear-cut threat yet'

"There is no clear-cut threat yet against the Games and our country, but I'd like to remind you that at the end of May, two individuals were arrested in Saint-Etienne and were plotting a project aimed directly at the Olympic Games.

"The terrorist threat remains just as important as the protest threat posed by radical environmental groups, the ultra left and the pro-Palestinian movement," Nunez said.

Last month, an 18-year-old Chechen man was arrested in the city of Saint-Etienne, suspected of planning an attack in the name of Islamic State at the city's soccer stadium during the Olympics.