Explosive Football in Paris

Could France Prevent a Terrorist Attack during Euro 2016?

Could the European security forces ensure the safety of citizens and guests at the tournament, opening today? A member of the Alpha anti-terror group association, lieutenant colonel Andrei Popov, answers this question.

– At what level is the security situation in Europe?

– The level of security in Europe does not meet not only the level of safety, for example, in Israel, but, even in Russia. It is much higher in our country. Here is a clear fact: the last time rubber truncheons and water cannons were used by Russian law enforcement agencies was 15-20 years ago. In Europe, it is common practice. This is one of the indicators of how our police and security services settle security issues.

Let's see what the security consists of for a large sporting event. The stadium from the terrorists' perspective is the place where everything is roughly prepared: potential hostages are at their places; it is impossible to leave the stadium, the danger zone, quickly.

– After the football matches end, people are leaving the stadium for several hours.

– Yes, for hours. It happens when there is no panic and stress. Everyone knows the events of the 1972 Munich Olympics, when 11 Israelis were killed. But there is another little known fact that can demonstrate what a terrorist attack is like during mass sporting events, in particular, in the stadium.

Just a few days later, the same Munich hosted another football game. About 70,000-80,000 people were in the stadium. And there was information that an unidentified aircraft was moving towards the stadium and, very likely, would bomb the building. The Germans raised their fighters, flew around the stadium, and escorted the aircraft. The Defence Minister had to give an order to shoot it down.

The commentator received a note: “An unidentified flying object that does not respond to any signals is moving towards the stadium and will very likely bomb it. Tell them what you want.” An ordinary actor had to make a decision. I tell you this story to make you understand what can happen in general and how it all goes within. The spectators were happily waving their hands, thinking that the planes are part of the show. Meanwhile, the Defence Minister had to give the order to attack. Thank God, nothing happened: it was a Finnish aircraft, whose onboard systems had suddenly broken. But they could easily make a lot of mistakes.

– Are the modern French law enforcement agencies able to fulfill their tasks?

– Fully. But it is necessary to conduct a number of activities to examine the residential sector. Sometimes, a man in uniform can stop a passerby, sometimes they can be asked to pass through a metal detector. It doesn’t mean that he/she wants to humiliate you somehow, or to show his/her significance. It's his/her duty. It is the civic duty to assist. In Russia, we have become accustomed to this and understand this. And in Europe, due to the policy of tolerance and multiculturalism, it is certainly more difficult.

– Is it impossible to inspect someone there?

– It is possible, when there are some good reasons.

– What kind? When someone carries a Kalashnikov in his or her hands?

– It has happened before. You know? A man with a Kalashnikov in his backpack walking in Paris or in its suburbs.

– In his backpack?

– Yes, it was specifically. It was a fake: some Internet activists examined the security services. He was detained after an hour. The terrorists learnt how the special services work after this video. They find out their algorithm and develop their operations based on it. How long has a man been passing by? How else can you be stopped? If a man is European, he is more likely to be stopped. And if not, then the policeman may think 100 times if he can be accused of intolerance?

– It turns out that the police will not inspect the people who come to Europe from Africa, the Middle East?

– Recently, Italy faced a horrible case of group rape in the refugee camp. Special services worked quickly. The European Police has everything it needs for high-quality work, but they are not allowed to do it. And it is permanently destroyed. Why? Because it was planned by the United States.

– Doesn’t the United States allow them to maintain order?

– Of course. Otherwise, why does the United States need Europe? When Europe starts to scream, it will, as the elder brother, say: “Yes, well, I will solve your security issues.”

– Well, the US State Department spokesman Mark Toner does not recommend US citizens go to Euro 2016 in France. And what shall we do?

– I don’t know why he doesn’t recommend. It's no secret that the USA and France have a special relationship. They cannot forgive de Gaulle, he sent them their dollar after the war, saying to bring back gold, as it was written: “backed by gold.” When Germany tried to repeat the same trick, it did not work, and the matter was closed. They did not distribute it more. But negative consequences still remained, as they say.

Of course, Toner said an interesting phrase. Anyone can say it, even with information on the situation in general. Like, we have information that terrorists are planning something. Well, we can further develop the idea: the bandits want to rob banks, and the thieves want to steal something.

Nevertheless, I believe that there is a threat, an atmosphere for successful terrorist “activities.” Why? Because there is a suitable environment. A lot of people came, and it is clear that among them there are not only agents, but also battle groups: those, who can carry out an attack. The environment itself gives them a shelter. “Group solidarity” reigns there, and if, for example, a policeman or stranger comes then alert is immediately spread: “Stranger, stranger, stranger.” Surveillance is impossible there. The intelligence work among the diaspora has almost disappeared.

– And what can we do? The French need to provide security. So many people will come. There are full stadiums. On the other hand, the United States, from overseas, prevented them from doing it, anyway. What should be done in this this case? What would you do in their place?

-You know, in such situations, the fight against terrorism is not just something ostentatious, as they do. For example, sending APCs.

But a serious terrorist attack is not an improvisation of some autonomous groups of 5-10 criminals. This happens only in the movies. Certain people back the terrorist groups that are able to accomplish this. These people interact with others, they – with the third ones, those – with the fourth one, and we can talk with them. The conversation goes something like this:

“There, we have the threat of terrorist attack, and I would like everything to be fine and quiet. You certainly do not deal with it...” (although everyone knows that they are related).

They answer: “Yes, of course, everything will be fine. But first, let just discuses: we have our own business, and we can agree on it.”

I can say that the Russian Alpha takes part in special operations to ensure security at mass events in addition to the direct release of hostages. It is no secret that we have been “serving” Israel's Independence Day steadily from year to year. And when you provide security, sometimes you walk in the shoes of potential terrorists and criminals, and you realize that something can happen, and something cannot. And when you talk with people who are involved in providing security operatives, they say: “Well, there are some agreements...”

– So should our citizens go to France for Euro 2016 or it is better to watch it at home?

– I think, they can go. I don’t believe and have no information that allows us to make such a conclusion, that the possibility of terrorist attacks is so great that you need to cancel the trip.