15 attacks foiled as Frenchman is held in Ukraine with AK47s, grenades and 125kg of TNT
'Terrorist' had two rocket-launchers, about 100 detonators, 125kg of TNT explosives and five Kalashnikov assault rifles
A FRENCHMAN arrested in Ukraine with 125kg of TNT and an assortment of weapons was plotting an attack on the Euro 2016 tournament, it has been revealed.
The would-be attacker was arrested on the Ukraine-Poland border on May 21 with an arsenal of weapons in his car, including rocket launchers, grenades and AK47s.
Ukraine's Head of Security Vasily Gritsak has revealed the man, who has been named as Gregoire Moutaux, 25, was plotting an attack on the footie tournament in France.
He had two rocket-launchers, about 100 detonators, more than 100 kilograms of TNT explosives, and five Kalashnikov assault rifles in his vehicle when he was detained on the Ukrainian-Polish border.
It is claimed Moutaux also intended to target Muslim and Jewish places of worship, as well as administrative buildings.
The Frenchman was detained after making contact with illegal armed groups to buy guns and explosives.
The SBU said in a statement it had followed the man since December and allowed him to purchase five machine guns, two rocket-propelled grenades and other weapons before he was arrested on the border
Gritsak has revealed the extremist plotted 15 terror attacks before and during the European football tournament, which have now been foiled.
He was said to have been driven by ultra-nationalist views and planned 15 attacks on bridges, railways and other pieces of infrastructure for Euro 2016 that will be held in France.
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Speaking at a news conference Gritsak said: "The Frenchman spoke negatively about his government's actions, mass immigration, the spread of Islam and globalisation, and also talked about plans to carry out several terrorist attacks."
The SBU said the French man came up on their radar last year during his stay in eastern Ukraine, and where he was "trying to establish ties with Ukrainian troops under the guise of volunteering".
Authorities released photos of Moutaux with his face blurred, holding various weapons.
The 25-year-old lived in a tiny hamlet called Nant-le-Petit, close to Bar-le-Duc.
Elite special forces found five balaclavas in his home, as well as the explosive material.
He is believed to have travelled to Ukraine, one of the most unstable states in the world at the moment, because it is so easy to pick up arms and explosives.
Despite this, locals in Nant-le-Petit, which has a population of just 80 people, described Moutaux as a "polite and pleasant lad".
Mayor Dominique Pensalfini-Demorise said: "He was a kid who was pleasant to his neighbours, intelligent and kind. He was always ready to help people."
Last week the American government warned tourists to be cautious visiting France during the Euros, as strike tensions rose in Paris.
The state department warned: "Euro Cup stadiums, fan zones, and unaffiliated entertainment venues broadcasting the tournaments in France and across Europe represent potential targets for
terrorists, as do other large-scale sporting events and public gathering places throughout Europe.
"We are alerting US citizens to the risk of potential terrorist attacks throughout Europe.
"The large number of tourists visiting Europe in the summer months will present greater targets for terrorists planning attacks in public locations, especially at large events."
President Francois Hollande also warned the biggest threat to the tournament is terrorism, not strikes, as civil action threatened to cause chaos across the country.
He dismissed calls to scrap a controversial labour reform, saying the main threat "remains terrorism", not strike action.
Extremist attacks are a major concern for French authorities as they prepare to host the month-long tournament at stadiums in the Paris area and eight other cities from Friday through July 10.
Islamic State extremists have threatened France during the tournament, but authorities have not confirmed specific dangers.
France is deploying 90,000 security forces for the tournament, and French President Francois Hollande said Sunday night that the threat of attacks won't stop it from being successful.
Ukrainian troops and Russia-backed separatists have fought in the east since April 2014, killing more than 9,400 people. It was not immediately clear which side of the conflict the French man had stayed at.