(Bloomberg) — French prosecutors are seeking terrorism charges against an adult and three 16- to 17-year-olds in connection with a foiled bombing near a Bank of America Corp. office. in Paris, which is seen as likely retaliation for the war with Iran.
The Parquet National Antiterroriste said Wednesday it was seeking charges against the four people after bringing in an investigating judge with broader investigative powers to handle the case.
The four are suspected of criminal terrorist conspiracy, manufacturing an explosive or incendiary device and attempted destruction in connection with a terrorist enterprise, PNAT said in a statement. All suspects were questioned in police custody. A fifth person was released due to lack of evidence.
French authorities are investigating possible links to 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 the interests of the Jewish community in Europe and specifically mentioned BofA’s French headquarters. Officials said they were working with other law enforcement agencies in Europe.
A Jewish school in Amsterdam was hit by an explosion last month shortly after an explosive device was also detonated at a synagogue in Rotterdam. In Norway, three brothers and their mother were arrested in connection with the explosion outside the US embassy in Oslo.
In Paris, two minors planted a bomb in front of the bank’s offices on Rue de la Boétie in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, between 3am and 4am on Saturday. According to PNAT, it consisted of a 5-liter canister two-thirds full of gasoline, taped with a very large firework.
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