Tourists observe one of the lateral pyramids of the Louvre Museum, conceived by Chinese-US architect Ieoh Ming Pei, in Paris on April 22, 2026.=Simon Wohlfahrt/AFP via Getty Images
A male individual was apprehended in France for purportedly plotting a terrorist action that may have aimed to strike the Louvre Museum in Paris, according to the French Ministry of the Interior and legal authorities in Paris.
Authorities informed ABC News the inquiry commenced after the suspect was intercepted by law enforcement in Paris on April 28, where he was allegedly operating a vehicle with a fraudulent license. Authorities indicated that access was gained to the man's mobile phone following that traffic stop.
The Interior Ministry stated that the intended assault was expected to target the museum, known as the world’s most visited, but added that the individual was detained before comprehensive specifics of the assault were completely developed.
Law enforcement communicated that the suspect also contemplated an assault specifically oriented toward members of the Jewish population in Paris, as conveyed by the ministry.
The individual, a 27-year-old Tunisian citizen, was taken into custody on May 7 and remains in pre-trial confinement, authorities confirmed. ABC News has attempted to contact the man’s legal representative for their perspective.
Tourists look at one of the side pyramides of Louvre Museum, designed by Chinese-US architect Ieoh Ming Pei, in Paris on April 22, 2026.=Simon Wohlfahrt/AFP via Getty Images
An investigation was initiated on Monday "based on grounds of terrorist affiliation with the purpose of perpetrating offenses against persons," according to the French National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office.
Investigators gained entry to the suspect’s phone, officials conveyed, and discovered jihadist promotional material, several hundred pictures of weapons and knives, imagery linked to ISIS utilized on social networking platforms, and encrypted correspondences with foreign connections, who are presumed to have potential ties to extremist groups.
The suspect, according to information retrieved from his electronic devices, debated awareness of entry points into the Louvre, conceivable placing of explosives within the museum facilities, and synthesis of ricin poison, officials reported.
The detained man arrived in Europe through Lampedusa, Italy, during 2022 and was living in the Paris vicinity without proper residential authorization, authorities revealed to ABC News.
Investigators informed prosecutors that the suspect refuted any intention of committing a crime during questioning, asserting that his actions stemmed from "interest" in ISIS philosophy.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com