MOSCOW — Authorities in Ukraine have arrested a French suspect attempting to smuggle dynamite and firearms for alleged “terrorist attacks” coinciding with a major European soccer tournament hosted by France, officials said.
The man, who was not immediately identified by Ukraine officials, was arrested at a border crossing from Ukraine to Poland last month, said the chief of Ukraine’s SBU security services, Vasily Hrytsak.
Hrytsak said that the man was motivated by “ultra-nationalist” views and had planned attacks against 15 targets, including a mosque, synagogue, and other infrastructure in France during this month’s European UEFA Euro 2016 soccer championship.
It was not immediately clear whether the man had any ties to Islamic State, which carried out a series of terrorist attacks in the French capital last year, including a wave of violence that left 140 people dead in November.
Security has been sharply increased for the soccer tournament, which will bring fans to stadiums and other venues across France. The matches begin Friday.
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