French authorities have arrested an “ultra-left activist” in connection with a major disruption on the national railway system, which affected hundreds of thousands of travelers during the Paris Olympics. The arrest follows a series of coordinated sabotage attacks targeting the state-owned railway, Société Nationale des Chemins de fer Français (SNCF).
The activist was detained in Rouen for breaking into a railway site, according to French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin. He emphasized that the sabotage was “voluntary, very precise, extremely well targeted,” and consistent with the actions of the ultra-left. “The question is whether they were manipulated or is it for their own benefit,” Darmanin stated, highlighting the sophistication of the attack on specific communication locations.
Ahead of the Olympic opening ceremony, unidentified saboteurs cut signal cables and set them on fire, causing massive disruptions. SNCF president Jean-Pierre Farandou noted that the saboteurs chose locations to maximize impact, describing it as “a sad day” for the railway.
The suspect in custody was found with several spray paint cans, wire cutters, and keys for access to SNCF technical rooms. Authorities are investigating the broader implications of the sabotage, including potential connections to other extremist activities.
Adding to the tension, a suspicious letter containing “black powder” and racial slurs was sent to Interior Minister Darmanin and the Roubaix town hall. Preliminary tests indicated a slight positivity for the plague, although further analysis by the Institut Pasteur is required to confirm the results. The prefecture has cautioned that it could be a false positive.
France’s Secretary of State for Digital Affairs, Marina Ferrari, condemned the acts of sabotage, which extended beyond railways to telecommunications infrastructure. “I condemn in the strongest terms these cowardly and irresponsible acts,” she said, thanking the teams working to repair the damage and restore services.
