Euro 2016: 'Terror plot' foiled by Ukrainian authorities
French 'ultra-nationalist' allegedly planned up to 15 attacks on buildings, bridges and railways

Ukrainian authorities claim to have thwarted a series of terror attacks planned to coincide with the Euro 2016 football championships starting in France this week.
Vasyl Grytsak, the head of Ukraine's state security service (SBU), told state television that a French "ultra-nationalist" detained on the Ukrainian-Polish border late last month had been planning up to 15 attacks on targets including Jewish and Muslim places of worship, French government administration buildings, bridges, railways and other infrastructure.
Grytsak said the individual, identified as Gregoire Moutaux, had been under surveillance since December and was arrested as part of a sting operation trying to smuggle weapons including rocket propelled grenades, machine guns and explosives into the European Union.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"[He] talked negatively about his government's actions, mass immigration, the spread of Islam and globalisation," said Grytsak.
Investigators also raided Moutaux's house near Nancy in Eastern France, where they found Neo-Nazi T-shirts as well as chemicals used to produce explosives and five balaclavas, says the Daily Mail.
It is understood that Ukraine's security forces had initially planned to keep the investigation a secret until after the tournament, "but decided to go public after reports in international media", says The Guardian.
Extremist attacks have become a "major concern" for French authorities as they prepare to host the month-long tournament, adds the newspaper.
Last week, the US State Department issued a travel warning to Americans planning to visit Europe, urging them to "exercise vigilance" and "avoid crowded places".
French special forces and emergency teams have carried out several practice runs for dealing with an attack during the tournament.
British police will also be stationed at Eurostar terminals and on some cross-channel trains "to prevent trouble and to stop known troublemakers from travelling to the tournament", reports Sky News.
Despite these precautions, British fans will face an "unprecedented security threat" when travelling to France, says the Mail. More than 500,000 are expected to make the trip.
French police have warned that England's opening match against Russia on Saturday in Marseille was "a particularly high risk" after a plot by Islamic State terrorists to target fans was discovered on the computer of one of the attackers responsible for November's Paris attack.
French authorities have extended the state of emergency introduced following last year's atrocities.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Yemen is the next humanitarian crisis in the Middle East
In the Spotlight The country has been dealing with humanitarian issues for years that are being exacerbated by war
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Movies to watch in April, including 'A Minecraft Movie' and 'The Legend of Ochi'
The Week Recommends An all-timer video game gets a wacky adaption, Ryan Coogler makes a vampire flick and a new fantasy puts practical effects back in the spotlight
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week US Published
-
Magazine solutions - April 11, 2025
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - April 11, 2025
By The Week US Published
-
What does the Le Pen verdict mean for the future of French politics?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION Convicted of embezzlement and slapped with a five year ban on running for public office, where does arch-conservative Marine Le Pen go from here — and will the movement she leads follow?
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'Like a sound from hell': Serbia and sonic weapons
The Explainer Half a million people sign petition alleging Serbian police used an illegal 'sound cannon' to disrupt anti-government protests
By Abby Wilson Published
-
The fight for control of Ukraine's nuclear reactors
The Explainer How serious is Donald Trump about US ownership of Kyiv's nuclear power plants?
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
The arrest of the Philippines' former president leaves the country's drug war in disarray
In the Spotlight Rodrigo Duterte was arrested by the ICC earlier this month
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Ukrainian election: who could replace Zelenskyy?
The Explainer Donald Trump's 'dictator' jibe raises pressure on Ukraine to the polls while the country is under martial law
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Why Serbian protesters set off smoke bombs in parliament
THE EXPLAINER Ongoing anti-corruption protests erupted into full view this week as Serbian protesters threw the country's legislature into chaos
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Ukraine goes all out to woo young people into the army
Under The Radar New recruitment drive offers perks as morale and numbers fall
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Ukraine's mineral riches and Trump's shakedown diplomacy
The Explainer President's demand for half of Kyiv's resources in return for past military aid amounts to 'mafia blackmail tactics' and 'colonialism'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published