Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau revealed on Friday that authorities are investigating nine cases of foreign interference linked to incidents in the Paris area since October 2023, and emphasized that “foreign interference is something we must take into account, and that we do take into account,” reports 24brussels.
Beccuau detailed a pattern beginning with the appearance of blue Stars of David on building walls in the French capital’s 14th district in October 2023, later tied to pro-Russian interference. She noted that the situation escalated with subsequent incidents involving red handprints and splashes of green paint targeting the Paris Holocaust memorial in 2024 and 2025.
Earlier this month, pro-Russian posters were found on the pillars of the Arc de Triomphe, featuring an image of a soldier alongside the caption, “Say thank you to the victorious Soviet soldier.” These incidents underline a concerning trend in orchestrated foreign actions within France.
Investigation findings suggest a modus operandi among individuals of Eastern European descent who enter France for short durations to conduct these acts. Beccuau stated, “Sometimes they take photos of what they have done, and send the photos beyond the borders to sponsors” and confirmed that certain sponsors have been identified, affirming that these activities represent operations of interference.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, French officials have accused Moscow of disseminating disinformation and orchestrating symbolic provocations aimed at creating distrust in institutions and exacerbating religious or political divisions within France. Authorities remain vigilant as these operations pose significant challenges to national security and societal cohesion.
Clea Caulcutt contributed to this report.
