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.

In the man’s apartment, in south-eastern Paris, more weapons were found as well as Islamic extremist material, the official said. There was no immediate evidence that the suspect had direct ties to any organized groups, the official said.

Aurelie Chatelain, a 32-year-old Frenchwoman visiting Paris for a training session for work, was found shot to death on Sunday morning in her car.

The security official said Chatelain appeared to have been killed by the suspect at random.