Geoffrey Branger // Credits: Jean-Marc Barrere / Hans Lucas / Hans Lucas via AFP 9:33 a.m., March 30, 2024
Faced with the terrorist threat hovering over France and the switch to emergency attack alert a few days ago, a tense weekend is beginning. In this context of high tensions and concerns, Easter celebrations will be particularly closely monitored this weekend.
Strict monitoring. The instructions to the prefects are very clear: the police and gendarmes must supervise all places of worship. This weekend, just before the celebrations, bags will be checked like IDs and vehicles parked near churches will be monitored. The authorities are taking this period very seriously since the terrorist threat is very high in France.
The risk is very high for two main reasons. First, the reconstitution of operational capabilities for projecting the threat of ISIS from abroad. Secondly, it is the threat inspired by propaganda that is renewed and multiplied. Additionally, there have been calls in recent days to attack Catholics.
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Particularly monitored celebrations
These are sensitive moments which are the subject of significant propaganda on the part of these jihadist organizations which repeatedly, recurrently call on individuals to strike. This was the case again a few hours ago, with an audio message from the spokesperson for the Islamic State which once again incited individual actors to take action. Friday, there
had no incident. Five risky moments will take place this Saturday evening for the Easter Vigil and then obviously Sunday for Easter Mass.