Jean-Baptiste Marty // Photo credit: Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP 6:24 a.m., March 29, 2024
As the Easter weekend approaches, vigilance is reinforced all around Christian places of worship. Three days of celebration particularly feared by the authorities in a context of increased terrorist threat since the attack on Moscow. Faced with this concern, Gérald Darmanin took security measures.
Easter weekend is approaching. Three days of festivities particularly feared by the authorities who have decided to strengthen vigilance around Christian places of worship. Faced with this concern, the Minister of the Interior, Gérald Darmanin, went to the DGSI this Thursday and then sent a Telegram to all the prefects to brief them before this weekend. But what security measures will be put in place?
A terrorist threat more present than ever
Around each church, the faithful will find police officers and gendarmes, but also military sentries. Everyone must contact the parish priests before each ceremony. We are talking in particular about Good Friday, then the Easter Vigil on Saturday evening and finally the Easter celebration. The objective: to have an estimate of the number of faithful expected so that the law enforcement system is adapted.
>> READ ALSO -
March 31 in 2024, April 9 in 2023... How is the date of Easter determined
Just before the celebrations, several instructions: systematic bag checks, identity checks, and even surveillance of vehicles parked near churches. In some cities, the instructions will even be given to mayors to ban traffic. Gérald Darmanin also asks the police and gendarmes to liaise with prosecutors to speed up procedures in the event of an incident.
So this special request from the Minister of the Interior, who is also Minister of Religion, comes a few days after the “Emergency attack” alert was triggered. A terrorist threat more present than ever a few months before the Olympic Games.