Arrest Of Russian 'Chef' Underscores French Olympics Fears

The arrest of a Russian man in Paris, reportedly a former reality-TV chef, over a suspected "destabilisation" plot targeting the Paris Olympics underscores French concerns that Moscow is looking to undermine the event from afar. The man, born in 1984, was detained at his home in Paris this week and is suspected of "passing intelligence to a foreign power in order to arouse hostilities in France," a statement from prosecutors said on Tuesday. Le Monde newspaper said police had found documents "of diplomatic interest" at his apartment and he was suspected of working for the Russian FSB intelligence service after appearances in reality TV shows and a stint as a chef in a French ski resort.

"We think very strongly that he was going to organise operations of destabilisation, interference, spying," Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin told BFM television on Wednesday.

"He's now in the justice system which will be able to confirm the suspicions of the police."

Darmanin said that "other Russian individuals" had been arrested by the Paris police and that French authorities had noted a campaign of disinformation aimed at raising fears and discrediting the Paris Games, which start Friday.

"We saw a video which purports to be someone from (Palestinian militant group) Hamas... who announces an attack in the next few days and comes because France is going to welcome Israeli athletes," he said.

"We're not sure, but it looks like it is fake and has been spread by pro-Kremlin and pro-Russian channels."

French authorities are on high alert for cyber attacks, disinformation and other covert operations.

Almost all of Moscow's athletes have been excluded from the Paris Olympics over the Kremlin's invasion of Ukraine, with only 15 set to compete