Police foil new terror plot in Paris

An Islamic extremist with an arsenal of heavy weapons planned an imminent attack on one or more French churches, France’s top security official said, announcing the arrest of the man who is also accused in the death of a young woman.

A French security official, who was not authorised to publicly release details, said that the suspect, 24, is an Algerian who had lived in France for several years. He was arrested on Sunday after he apparently shot himself by accident and called for an ambulance. Police who arrived at the scene found a bloody trail leading to his car, with loaded guns and notes about potential targets inside.

“Documents were also found and they prove, without any ambiguity, that the individual was preparing an imminent attack, in all probability, against one or two churches,” Cazeneuve said.