PARIS: After the deadly terror attack at a Moscow concert hall, France has raised its terror alert to the highest level, just months before Paris is set to host the Olympics. The Moscow attack left at least 137 people dead and 182 others injured.
French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal took to X to announce that a meeting of the Defense and National Security Council was convened this evening at the Elysée by the President of the Republic following the attack on Moscow, claimed by the Islamic State (IS).
“Given the Islamic State’s claim of responsibility for the attack and the threats weighing on our country, we have decided to raise the Vigipirate posture to its highest level: attack emergency.”
The highest level of the Vigipirate system is declared when an imminent attack, either domestically or abroad, is believed to be imminent. This level allows for exceptional security measures, including heightened patrols by armed forces in public places like train stations, airports, and religious sites, as reported by Reuters.
This heightened security alert comes in the wake of concerns about potential extremist threats during the upcoming Olympics in Paris. Earlier this month, French President Emmanuel Macron had already reduced the planned capacity of the Olympics opening ceremony along the River Seine, citing broad concerns about security.
Meanwhile, in Moscow, four suspects accused of orchestrating the shooting attack at the concert venue appeared before a court on Sunday, facing terrorism charges. Disturbingly, the suspects showed signs of severe beatings during the court proceedings, with one appearing barely conscious.
Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that the suspects were apprehended while attempting to flee to Ukraine. However, this claim drew a strong rebuke from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who accused Moscow of trying to shift blame to Kyiv amid their ongoing conflict.
An affiliate of the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the Moscow attack, which is considered the deadliest terror incident on Russian soil in years. The US government supported this claim, citing intelligence that pointed to ISIS’s involvement.
The suspects, identified as citizens of Tajikistan, were charged with committing a terrorist attack. They are being held in custody until May 22 pending further investigation and trial, as ordered by Moscow’s Basmanny District Court.
