Man held over Paris bomb threat at Iran consulate

man-held-over-paris-bomb-threat-at-iran-consulate

French police and members of French special police forces of Research and Intervention Brigade (BRI) secure the area near Iran consulate where a man is threatening to blow himself upImage source, Reuters

Image caption,

Police and members of France’s elite BRI intervention brigade were pictured surrounding the area

Armed police have made an arrest after reports that a man was seen entering the Iranian consulate not far from the Eiffel Tower in Paris,

Elite officers from France’s BRI intervention brigade surrounded the building after a witness saw a man apparently carrying a grenade or explosive vest.

French reports said the suspect eventually left the building.

A man was detained by police shortly after 14:45 (12:45 GMT).

Pictures from the scene showed police arresting him close to the consulate.

Neighbouring streets in the city’s 16th district in the centre were cordoned off.

While the nature of the threat was not clear, the Paris prefect ordered BRI police to rush to the scene.

The area around the consulate, which is close to Trocadero and the River Seine, is popular with tourists and the Paris metro was suspended in the nearby area, transport officials said.

You might also like...