Attempted bombing of Bank of America’s main Paris office thwarted by police
Three teens were arrested this weekend following an attempted terrorist attack early Saturday outside Bank of America‘s Paris headquarters, according to French authorities.
The suspects allegedly tried to set off an explosive device at the Charlotte-based bank’s 8th arrondissement office location. Police thwarted the plot while patrolling the area after spotting two suspicious individuals.
Authorities said one suspect was attempting to ignite the device with a lighter when police moved in, according to ABC News. Officers arrested him and accused the suspect of placing a device consisting of two bottles of flammable liquid secured with adhesive tape and 650 grams of explosive powder.
One of the other suspects reportedly fled the initial scene while attempting to film the incident. Two more suspects were arrested suspects were caught Sunday. All three are under 18.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said there are suspicions regarding potential Iranian involvement in the midst of the war in Iran, no conclusions have been reached, Reuters reported. Nuñez noted that authorities have identified similar incidents at sites linked to U.S. interests in the Netherlands, Belgium, Britain and Norway.
The Iranian embassy in France declined to comment on Nuñez’s remarks.
Bank of America investigating attempted attack on its Paris HQ
Bank of America declined to discuss details regarding security measures for its Charlotte-based headquarters and global branches, officials confirmed they are investigating the Paris incident.
“We are aware of the situation and communicating with the authorities,” spokesman Bill Halldin told The Charlotte Observer Monday.
Bank of America has about 213,000 employees worldwide, with more than 19,000 in the Charlotte region.
