French authorities detain Tunisian man suspected of planning jihadist attack

French counterterrorism prosecutors have detained a 27-year-old Tunisian man suspected of planning a “violent act inspired by jihadism,” the country’s anti-terrorism prosecutor’s office told AFP on Monday.

A source familiar with the case said the suspect intended to target “a Paris museum and members of the Jewish community,” though no specific location had been identified. The man was arrested on May 7 after a preliminary investigation was launched the previous day on suspicion of “terrorist criminal association,” the prosecutor’s office confirmed, corroborating a report by Le Monde.

In addition to the alleged attack plot in Paris, investigators believe the suspect had considered joining the ranks of the terrorist organisation Islamic State in Syria or Mozambique. He was placed in pre-trial detention on Monday.