Chilling photos show five coffins placed at the foot of the Eiffel Tower in a disturbing maneuver allegedly carried out by Russian agents.
The three suspects are accused of dropping the coffins wrapped with a French flag that included a message that read “French soldiers from Ukraine.”
Three men were seen arriving in a van at around 9am on Saturday and the coffins were found shortly afterwards.
The Bulgarian, German and Ukrainian nationals claimed they were paid 340 pounds (400 euros) for the bizarre stunt, officials at the Paris prosecutor’s office said.
Public prosecutors requested that the three men be charged with premeditated violence.
The trio includes the driver of the vehicle that transported the coffins, a 39-year-old Bulgarian, as well as two people associated with him, a 25-year-old German and a 16-year-old Ukrainian, who was detained on board. a Flixbus bound for Paris-Berlin.
Prosecutors described the stunt as an “act of psychological violence.”
They were released from custody on Monday pending an investigation.
France is at its highest alert level before the Summer Games in Paris and the sumptuous outdoor ceremony on the River Seine.
Last week, French authorities arrested an 18-year-old man accused of planning an attack during this summerOlympic Games.
Chechen immigrant Rokhman B. is suspected of organizing an attack on a football match in Lyon and reportedly wanted to “die a martyr” by killing spectators or police officers.
Meanwhile, images from frontline appears to show the dramatic moment in which the Russians detain a French fighter on the Ukrainian side.
The footage comes amid Moscow’s fury over threats by some NATO countries to place Western troops in Ukraine.
The fighter detained in the video – and shown on pro-Kremlin TV – wears a French chevron on his uniform and is considered a mercenary fighter supporting Ukraine.
He can be seen huddled in a trench in Lyptsi, Kharkiv region, as a Russian soldier fires bullets near him, saying: “Hey, get out!”
The French fighter responds, begging for his life: “Ne tirez pas” – [Don’t shoot].
The Russian fires twice, ordering the foreign mercenary: “Throw away your weapons!”
The Frenchman replies: “Ne tirez pas, je suis Français!” [Don’t shoot, I’m French!]
The Russian shoots again near the surrounding man and demands: “Get out!”
The fighter said to his captor: “Vous pouvez m’échanger!” [You can exchange me!]
By begging for his life, he evidently realizes that he may be of value to the Russians, who may demand an exchange of compatriots, perhaps detained in France.
It is far from clear that the two frontline enemies can understand each other.
The Russian soldier fires his rifle again and insists: “Get out!”
Again the French fighter: “Ne tirez pas” – (Don’t shoot)
Russian soldier: (kicking the Frenchman): ‘Get out!’
The Frenchman asks again “don’t shoot, don’t shoot.”
The video ends and it is assumed that the French fighter has been captured and is now in Russian hands.
There has been fighting around Lyptsi in recent days as Russian forces seek to advance into Ukrainian territory.
The incident comes amid anger at Russia about a French plan to send military instructors to Ukraine to help Kiev’s forces.
Reports in Kiev say the first instructors have already arrived.
President Emmanuel Macron intends to form a coalition of Western countries willing to take the step of training Ukrainian troops on the ground, reports say.
Recent stunts by alleged Kremlin agents
The coffin incident was not the only scam suspected of having been orchestrated by agents acting on behalf of Russia.
A deepfake documentary purportedly showing Tom Cruise appeared to target the Paris Olympics, according to Microsoft.
The AI-generated video appeared with the title Olympics Has Fallen.
Earlier this month, 35 red hands were painted on the Holocaust Shoah Memorial in Paris.
French authorities believe the culprits fled abroad.
But one of the suspects in the coffin case reportedly called a Bulgarian suspect in the red hands incident, Le Monde reported.
Shortly after the October 7th massacre, Stars of David were spray-painted on the walls of Paris.
A couple from Moldova, who French authorities believe were paid by Russian intelligence, have been arrested.
Moscow sees this as proof of direct involvement of NATO members in the conflict, and believes the same regarding Western permission given to Ukraine to use long-range missiles provided by Alliance members to attack targets on Russian territory.
Previously, Macron said Europe should consider sending troops to Ukraine if Russia break through the front lines.
He warned that “if Russia wins in Ukraine, there will be no security in Europe”.
The French leader said: ‘If there was a Ukrainian request, we would legitimately have to ask ourselves this question.’
The Kremlin called Macron’s comments “very dangerous”.
Several NATO countries refused to exclude the possibility of sending their soldiers boots on the ground in Ukraine if Russia advances beyond its current positions.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story