French police officer arrested over suspected far-right terror plot

A French police officer has been arrested on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act and plotting violent attacks against state interests, according to judicial and police sources. The 35-year-old man is also suspected of manufacturing 3D-printed weapons and of incitement to terrorism through social media. He was apprehended on the street on 23 August and has since been placed in detention while awaiting trial.

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Sources said the officer is believed to adhere to what was described as a violent radical far-right ideology. The case was confirmed by a judicial source, which said he was suspected of having manufactured weapons, among other offences. The charges reported include preparing a terrorist act, unauthorised manufacture or trade in weapons in connection with a terrorist organisation, unauthorised weapon possession, and incitement to terrorism online.

The arrest is significant because it involves a serving police officer accused of extremist violence planning, rather than an outside suspect. That raises questions about screening, monitoring and the handling of radicalisation within state institutions. The allegations also point to the growing concern among French authorities about the use of online platforms to spread extremist material and encourage violence.

The case comes amid wider scrutiny of far-right extremism in France. In a separate recent development, the far-right National Rally expelled another policeman after body camera footage of racist comments caused outrage. The party has been trying to broaden its appeal ahead of next year's presidential election, with Marine Le Pen seeking to present it as more acceptable to mainstream voters.

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The reported facts so far suggest the investigation is still at an early stage, and the officer's lawyers had not responded publicly at the time of the report. It is not clear what specific target, if any, was being prepared, or how far any alleged plot had progressed. Further details may emerge as the case moves through the French judicial system and as investigators assess the extent of the suspected weapons manufacturing and online activity.

What remains to be established is whether the allegations will be supported by evidence strong enough for trial and whether the case leads to any wider review inside the police force. The timing of the arrest, the nature of the suspected offences and the officer's alleged ideology make the case politically sensitive as well as legally serious. For now, the investigation appears focused on the individual suspect and the material recovered by investigators.

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