PARIS (AP) — A man wearing a fake explosive vest and making threats was detained Friday outside the Iranian Consulate in Paris after police locked down the area, authorities said. His motive was unclear.
The incident came at a time of heightened tensions in the Middle East, and as Paris is on high security alert as it gears up to host the Summer Olympics in three months.
The suspect had been convicted for setting fire to the Iranian Embassy gates last year in what he called a protest against the Iranian government, according to the Paris prosecutor’s office. The consulate and embassy are part of the same compound, in the ritzy 16th arrondissement of Paris and near the Seine River.
Iranian authorities did not comment publicly on what happened.
The man was spotted around 11 a.m. outside the consulate, and a witness told police he had a grenade and an explosives vest, according to a Paris police official. The official was speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not allowed to be publicly named under police policy.
Taylor Swift leaves QR codes with secret meanings in Sydney and Melbourne ahead of the much
Ambassadors gain insights from visits to Xinjiang
China hits out at regional 'small circles'
Xi, Cambodian King Exchange Congratulations on 65th Anniversary of Diplomatic Ties
Man United player Garnacho apologizes for liking critical posts about Ten Hag
Economic Watch: Improving logistics indexes reflect China's economic recovery
News Analysis: U.S. hits technical recession, but many sectors remain healthy
Has Salman Rushdie changed after his stabbing? Well, he feels about 25, the author tells AP
BNSF Railway says it didn't know about asbestos that's killed hundreds in Montana town
Silk Road int'l expo pushes for deeper Belt and Road cooperation