Arrest of Suspect of 'Espionage' for Russia in France Ahead of Olympics

Amid the ban on Russia's participation in the Olympic Games in France, multiple reports indicate Russia's role in spreading false information, cyberattacks, and even planning a suicide attack in Paris; in the latest development, a Russian citizen was arrested for 'stirring instability in France during the Olympic days.' Kirill Gryaznov, a 40-year-old, was transferred to detention on July 21 (31 Tir) after security forces raided his home in central Paris. He was born in Perm and after graduating from law school in that city, settled in Moscow and worked in financial companies. Fourteen years ago, he moved to France, trained at a culinary school, and was hired as a chef at a restaurant in Courchevel, which was previously the most popular winter resort for Russian oligarchs. A year later, he returned to Moscow and wrote to his former landlord in Paris that he was a Russian government employee. It has been reported that since then he has been constantly traveling between Russia and France and has appeared multiple times on cooking television shows in Russia and taught cooking on social media. Apparently, during this time, Kirill Gryaznov came to the attention of the Russian security service. According to the Russian publication Insider, he likely established contact with Russian security agents through his brother. Dmitry Gryaznov, Kirill's brother, is a government employee but, according to Insider, he lives in the same residential building in Moscow where many exposed Russian security agents have registered their residence. France claims to have thwarted several plots against the Paris Olympics. Reports suggest that about two months ago, Kirill Gryaznov intended to fly from Istanbul to Paris, but he was so drunk that not only was he not allowed to board the plane, but his name was also added to a blacklist. He drove to Bulgaria but got drunk there as well and told customers at a restaurant that he was going to Paris for a 'special mission' to ensure that the French Olympic Games would 'stay in memories forever.' He reportedly pulled out a card from his pocket in front of witnesses to prove that he was a Russian intelligence officer and called someone to report that 'everything is going according to plan.' Investigations have shown that he was indeed engaged in illegal activities. The French police announced the arrest of Kirill Gryaznov in Paris five days before the start of the Olympics. According to the French newspaper Le Monde, evidence of 'preparation for a large-scale destabilizing operation during the Olympics' and documents proving 'connections with special forces under the Russian security service' were discovered in his apartment. So far, no information has been released regarding the exact objectives of the Russian security service during the French Olympic Games. However, it is reported that Kirill Gryaznov is accused of espionage, transferring confidential information to a foreign government, and destabilizing actions 'on a large scale' and 'aimed at inciting violence' in France, and he is in custody. He may face up to 30 years in prison. Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, described the reports in this regard as 'ridiculous' and added that the Russian embassy in France is following up on this matter. Two months ago, a Russian citizen who apparently intended to carry out a suicide attack at the entrance of the Saint-Étienne football club during the Olympic Games was arrested in France. Recently, it has been announced that about a hundred people from Russia and Belarus, who intended to travel to Paris as journalists, technical staff, or medical personnel, have been banned from entry on suspicion of espionage and preparing cyberattacks. Microsoft reported that Russia has been relying on artificial intelligence for months to spread false information about the insecurity of the Olympic Games through websites that appear to be indistinguishable from reputable French publications, aiming to incite concerns about violence and terrorism. Russian officials have always claimed that these accusations are part of a Russia-phobia narrative and are untrue. Russia has been banned from participating in the Paris Olympics due to its war against Ukraine. Only 15 Russian athletes will participate in these competitions without a flag and national attire.