Paris prosecutor opens probe into 'criminal' attack on France's high-speed train network

YEREVAN, JULY 26, ARMENPRESS. The Paris prosecutor has opened a probe into a suspected bid to undermine "fundamental national interests" after the country’s high-speed network was targeted with widespread and "criminal" acts, disrupting travel for hundreds of thousands of people just hours before the grand opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics, France24 reports.

French security forces are hunting the people behind today’s attacks that hobbled the country's high-speed rail network, French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said.

"Our intelligence services and law enforcement are mobilized to find and punish the perpetrators of these criminal acts," Attal posted on X, calling the attacks "prepared and coordinated acts of sabotage against (rail operator) SNCF's installations" with "huge and serious consequences for the rail network".

According to France24, the Paris prosecutors opened a probe into a suspected bid to undermine "fundamental national interests", saying that the crime carries up to 20 years in prison.

The investigation will also probe suspected damage inflicted by an organized gang and attacks on an automated data processing system, the report adds, citing a statement from Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau.

France’s high-speed rail network was hit by "malicious acts" including arson attacks that have disrupted the transport system, train operator SNCF said Friday, hours before the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics. The attacks affected some 800,000 passengers.