Paris [France], July 29: AFP news agency reported on July 28 that French police have opened an investigation after three Israeli athletes received death threats at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin has announced the incident. In addition, France's cybercrime agency is also investigating the spread of personal data of Israeli athletes on social media and is working to take it down.
In a statement on July 25, Israel's National Cyber ​​Directorate accused Iranian hacker groups of releasing personal information of Israeli athletes and sending threatening messages. On the same day, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz warned his French counterpart of a potential plot to target Israeli athletes and tourists during the Paris Olympics.
"We fully support the measures that the French authorities are taking. This sends an important message to individuals and groups that are trying to intimidate athletes," an Israeli diplomatic source said, according to Reuters.
Israeli athletes will be escorted and protected by elite special forces units 24 hours a day during the 2024 Paris Olympics, in coordination with French authorities and the Israeli security agency Shin Bet.
Iran's MEHR news agency reported on July 27 that Iranian Foreign Minister Nasser Kanaani rejected Israel's attacks on Tehran , saying that the accusations from Tel Aviv go against the Olympic charter based on peace and friendship.
"Israel's move is an attempt to divert world opinion from the situation in Gaza and to escape international public anger over Israel's actions against Palestinians," Kanaani wrote on social network X.
French authorities are also investigating anti-Semitic hate crimes during the July 27 soccer match between Israel and Paraguay, when banners and songs criticizing Israel over the conflict in Gaza were played. Those involved could also face more serious charges of inciting racial hatred.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
