Three teens facing terrorism charges over foiled Bank of America bombing
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French anti-terrorism prosecutors opened an investigation into attempted destruction by fire or other dangerous means.
PHOTO: REUTERS
PARIS - French prosecutors are seeking terrorism charges against an adult and three teens aged 16 to 17 over a foiled bombing attack near the Bank of America office in Paris, seen as a likely retaliation to the war with Iran.
The Parquet National Antiterroriste said on April 1 that it was seeking the charges against the four people after bringing in an investigative judge with wider probing powers to run the case.
The four are suspected of forming a criminal terrorist conspiracy, manufacturing an explosive or incendiary device and attempted destruction in connection with a terrorist enterprise, the PNAT said in its statement.
The suspects had all been questioned in police custody. A fifth person was released due to a lack of evidence.
French authorities are examining possible links with a pro-Iranian propaganda video released last week by a group called HAYI or “Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiyya”, which called for retaliation targeting interests of the Jewish community in Europe and specifically mentioned BofA’s French headquarters.
Officials said they’re coordinating with other law enforcement agencies in Europe.
A Jewish school in Amsterdam was hit by an explosion in March, shortly after an explosive device was also set off at a synagogue in Rotterdam. In Norway, three brothers and their mother were arrested in connection with a blast outside the US Embassy in Oslo.
In Paris, the bomb was placed by two minors in front of the bank’s offices on the Rue de la Boétie in Paris’ eighth arrondissement, between 3am and 4am on March 28. It was made up of a five-litre jerrycan two-thirds full of petrol, taped together with a very large firework, according to the PNAT. BLOOMBERG
