Additional Coverage:
An alleged Russian spy was apprehended by French police after reportedly getting intoxicated and openly discussing plans to disrupt the 2024 Paris Olympics, according to the French newspaper Le Monde.
The suspect, 40-year-old Kirill Gryaznov, attracted the attention of European intelligence agencies and was arrested at his Paris apartment. Sources indicate that Gryaznov, who reportedly had ties to the Russian Federal Security Service, was previously removed from a flight from Istanbul to Paris in May due to his intoxicated state.
Following the flight incident, Gryaznov visited a local restaurant where he allegedly called his contacts within the Russian intelligence community. During his drunk conversation, he is said to have bragged about plans to ensure the upcoming Olympic games would be memorable due to disruptions he intended to cause.
Gryaznov further compromised himself by showing his ID which identified him as an intelligence officer and spoke to neighbors about his intentions to create chaos at the Olympics. This behavior eventually led to security agencies being alerted to his plans.
When French authorities raided his apartment, they reportedly discovered diplomatic materials and evidence suggesting a significant plot to destabilize France during the Olympic events. Consequently, Gryazgov was charged with espionage and attempting to incite hostilities within France.
Interestingly, Gryaznov had previously trained as a chef at the renowned Le Cordon Bleu culinary school in Paris and appeared on a cooking reality show, showcasing an unexpected side to the man at the center of these allegations.