Two French teenagers who were radicalized by ISIS terrorists were charged with conspiracy to carry out an antisemitic terror attack, French outlet Le Parisien reported on Monday.
Authorities claim that the teenagers were preparing to carry out a violent attack against Jews and were supporters of ISIS. The outlet also noted that the two were active in a WhatsApp group used to bring together ISIS supporters and spread terrorist propaganda.
Media outlet Franceinfo reported that the two minors had been planning an attack on “Israeli targets”, citing a source close to the investigation. The anti-terrorism prosecutor’s office did not immediately confirm this in its statement.
Le Parisien, citing information from France’s anti-terrorism prosecutor’s office, said that the two 16-year-olds were charged in Paris on Sunday with “criminal conspiracy for terrorist purposes,” and were detained at the request of the prosecution following four days of intensive investigation.
Message refers to upcoming attack, shows knife
Investigators noted that the case was opened following the detection of a message that referred to the possibility of an attack “within five days,” accompanied by a picture of a knife.
This incident marks the 19th and 20th minors charged with terrorism in France this year.
French authorities emphasized to Le Parisien that this jump in arrests indicates a sharp, unprecedented shift toward the recruitment of youths to jihadist activity within the country, accompanied by growing radicalization and more violent intentions.
