Lvin Magazine

A 28-year-old suspected “ultra-left militant” was apprehended in north-west France under suspicious circumstances near a railway site. Upon searching the suspect’s vehicle, authorities discovered keys to technical premises, pliers, a set of universal keys, and literature associated with the “ultra-left” movement. The individual is currently under police interrogation in Rouen.

French Minister of the Interior Gerald Darmanin revealed on Monday that individuals with potential connections to the deliberate and targeted sabotage of the country’s high-speed TGV lines had been identified, attributing the acts to the “traditional” methods of the ultra-left. Despite the identification of possible suspects, it remains uncertain whether the perpetrators had accomplices within the national rail operator SNCF.

In addition to the damage to the railway network, reports surfaced of fiber optic cables being severed in six locations across France, leading to localized service interruptions. However, any potential link between this and the previous railway sabotage remains unspecified at this stage.

While no group has claimed responsibility for these incidents, Transport Minister Patrice Vergriete announced that train services have now resumed normal operation after extensive weekend repairs. Security measures, including the deployment of drones and police helicopters, have been bolstered to protect France’s extensive railway network.

The acts of sabotage are estimated to have incurred substantial financial costs, with Minister Vergriete suggesting they may have reached several million euros.