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.
Police in Paris detain a man wearing fake explosives vest at Iran's Consulate
Lewis Hamilton will begin his Ferrari career at the Australian Grand Prix next year
Travis Kelce hilariously ripped for his old tweets at New Heights live
Man United legend Andy Cole accuses Mikel Arteta of 'mugging off' out
Pregnant Rooney Mara dresses her baby bump in head
Kyle Richards rocks a tuxedo while ex
Neymar jokes about his contribution to Al
Immigration declines nearly half of study visa applications from India so far this year
Jury selection for Trump's hush money trial could near a close
In Pictures: Rare celestial event totally eclipsed by thick cloud in Hong Kong
Claire Danes carries umbrella for bundled
Threat of Iranian attack on Israel is 'real and credible', says White House