60% Rise in Number of French Muslim Radicals in 2 Years – Report

French police also say they thwarted seven terrorist attacks so far in 2017

French police with protective shields walk in line near the Bataclan concert hall following fatal shootings in Paris, France, November 14, 2015 © Christian Hartmann / Reuters

The number of radicals in France has gone up 60 percent over the last two years, with converts to Islam accounting for over 34 percent of the identified radicals, according to a report.

Notice the political correctness in the wording here. The report calls them 'radicals' not 'Muslim radicals'. And yet it talks about their conversion (to what? Radicalism? No! To Islam!). It also mentions their use of the term Allahu Akbar which is an Islamic phrase. Everyone knows they are Muslims, except Muslims.

Citing the Terrorism Prevention and Radicalization Reporting File (FSPRT), Le Figaro reports that 18,550 people are currently registered by the authorities as potential radicals, up from 11,400 in 2015, “The file is constantly evolving,” with individuals coming and going after being evaluated by various government departments, the newspaper said.

In addition to the usual information (name, place of residence, criminal record), this database, access to which is restricted, adds more sensitive elements (such as possible contacts with other radicals), according to Le Figaro.

According to the FSPRT, female radicals accounted for 26 percent of the cases; minors slightly more than 16 percent. Converts to Islam accounted for over 34 percent of the identified radicals.

“The FSPRT provides a global picture of radicalization in France, both geographically (with a strong presence [of radicals] in the departments of Île-de-France, the North, the Bouches-du-Rhône, the Rhône And the Alpes-Maritimes) as well as demographically,” Le Figaro reported.

On August 6, a man carrying a knife and reportedly shouting “Allahu Akbar” tried to force his way through security checks at the Eiffel Tower. French prosecutors launched a counterterrorism investigation. 

France has been in a state of emergency following attacks in Paris in November 2015 which saw over 130 people killed. The measure has given police and administrative authorities more power.

“The terrorist threat remains very high,” French Minister of the Interior Gerard Collomb told Le Journal du Dimanche earlier this month.

“The Champs-Elysees has been targeted twice, and our services have foiled seven attacks attempts since the beginning of the year,” he said.