French government says attack foiled, Egyptian man arrested
PARIS — French authorities have thwarted a possible attack using ricin or explosives and handed preliminary terrorism charges to a young Egyptian man arrested in Paris, officials said Friday.
The announcement came as French police and President Emmanuel Macron’s government are under criticism for not preventing attacks like a deadly Islamic extremist stabbing in central Paris on Saturday.
The Egyptian man was arrested a week ago in the French capital’s 18th arrondissement, or district, according to a security official. Authorities found explosive powder and tutorials on how to make explosives and poison from materials such as ricin, the official said.
The man, identified as Mohamed M., was handed preliminary charges of association with a terrorist enterprise, according to a judicial official. Another man was also arrested but later released.