On Thursday, French police arrested a 26-year-old man holding both Ukrainian and Russian citizenship with explosives in a hotel in northern Paris. A source from the French anti-terrorism public prosecutor's office clarified that the prosecution has taken over the case and opened an investigation into the man's suspected involvement in a terrorist plot, according to Reuters.
The newspaper "Le Parisien" reported that the man was arrested on Monday afternoon in Roissy-en-France (Val d'Oise) after one of the explosive devices blew up in his face. Gendarmerie forces intervened on Monday following an explosion in the hotel room occupied by the Ukrainian national. The young man, aged 26, suffered extensive burns on his face and arms and was transported to the Gonesse Hospital (Val d'Oise). The hotel had to be evacuated to allow law enforcement authorities to respond.
Despite his injuries, the man told investigators that he was making homemade batteries for mobile phones when one of them exploded. The newspaper indicated that "these batteries were covered in plastic, containing sulfur, powder, and a barbecue lighter." The national anti-terrorism prosecutor confirmed in a press release that "preliminary findings at the scene led to the discovery of products and materials intended for the manufacture of explosive devices, one of which exploded."
The public prosecutor's office has opened an investigation into charges of participation in "a terrorist criminal organization" with the aim of preparing for crimes against individuals, possession of an incendiary or explosive substance or materials for the purpose of assembling an incendiary or explosive device aimed at destruction and harm to people in relation to "a terrorist project."
