French Interior Minister: 1000 People Banned from Entering the Olympics on Suspicion of 'Espionage'

The French Interior Minister has stated that French authorities have pre-screened the backgrounds of over one million individuals, including athletes, coaches, journalists, volunteers, security guards, and even residents near the Olympic venues. According to a report by the Associated Press, Gerald Darmanin, the French Interior Minister, announced in an interview with the weekly 'Paris Match' that 4360 individuals have been banned from entering the Games. The minister, who is currently acting as the head of the ministry until a new government is formed, added that about one thousand people have been banned due to 'suspicions of espionage and potential foreign interference.' He stated that France wants to ensure that 'sports are not used for espionage.' Meanwhile, according to the French prosecutor's office, the police arrested a Russian citizen on Tuesday on suspicion of 'designing destabilizing actions' during the Paris Summer Olympics. A source in the prosecutor's office, who requested anonymity, told AFP that the Russian man, born in 1984, was arrested on suspicion of 'organizing events that could lead to instability during the Olympics' and is under judicial investigation. The source reported that investigations have begun regarding 'the transfer of information to a foreign power to create hostility in France.' According to him, the punishment for these crimes can be up to 30 years in prison. Prosecutors stated that during a search of this man's home, which was 'conducted at the request of the Interior Ministry,' evidence of 'suspicious plans' was discovered. French officials did not provide details of the alleged conspiracy but stated that it is not a terrorist plot and that anti-terrorism prosecutors will not pursue the case. There is also ongoing discussion about enhanced security measures for Israeli athletes at the Paris Olympics, which has sparked controversy. The Olympic refugee team has entered the Olympic village in Paris alongside Iranian athletes, marking the smallest Olympic delegation from Iran in two decades with only 40 athletes attending. Advanced technology and artificial intelligence will be used to combat doping at the Paris Olympics.