An “ultra-left militant” was arrested in north-west France on Sunday after being found behaving suspiciously near a railway site, according to police sources quoted by French media.
The 28-year-old suspect was apprehended in the city of Rouen, where officers discovered keys to technical premises, pliers, a set of universal keys, and literature “linked to the ultra-left” in his car. However, there is no indication that he was involved in Friday’s suspected co-ordinated arson attack on railway lines ahead of the Paris Olympic Games opening ceremony.
The sabotage on the high-speed TGV lines paralyzed travel to and from Paris, causing major disruptions across France. France’s Minister of the Interior Gerald Darmanin stated that a “number of profiles of people who could have committed these very deliberate, very targeted acts of sabotage” have been identified, with methods typical of the ultra-left movement.
While investigators are making progress in finding those responsible, Darmanin noted that the sabotage was well-targeted and likely had a political motive behind it. He also mentioned that around 50 people were arrested before the Olympics, suspected of planning sabotage or radical protests in Paris during the games.
In addition to the railway damage, fiber optic cables were found cut in six locations across France, causing isolated outages. It remains unclear if there are any connections between the telecoms vandalism and the rail network sabotage. Transport minister Patrice Vergriete confirmed that train services are back to normal after extensive repairs over the weekend, with significant costs incurred due to the acts of sabotage.
As the investigation continues, authorities are working to strengthen security measures on France’s railway network to prevent future incidents. Despite the challenges faced, the country remains vigilant in ensuring the safety and efficiency of its transportation systems.
