French police foil Islamist plot to attack Eiffel Tower, Louvre
The New York Post/July 9, 2014
By Chris Perez
French police thwarted plans by Islamist terrorists to attack famous historical landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre.
Officials unraveled the sinister plot after a high-ranking member of al Qaeda sent a 29-year-old Algerian butcher in south France numerous "suggestions on the future activity of jihad [in France]," France 24 reports.
Known only as Ali M, the butcher told his terrorist connection that they should aim for famous locations around the country, mentioning the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum in central Paris.
He then suggested an attack on "planes at the moment of take-off," according to Le Parisien newspaper.
Referencing the local Avignon arts festival, the butcher added that they should target "cultural events taking place in southern France during which Christians gather for a month," France 24 reports.
The butcher had planned to focus on "average French citizens from the poorer classes" who he believed could be found in public places like bars and nightclubs.
"The roads become thick with people and just a single grenade would be enough to hurt dozens of people," he said in an email. "Imagine the effect of an improvised explosive device (IED)."
Police arrested Ali M in June 2013.
His arrest came just one month before the Algerian had made plans to fly to Tunisia and then to Algeria, where he was supposed to complete his terrorist training.
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