A suspected Russian-Ukrainian terrorist was being quizzed by French police today after triggering an improvised bomb in a Paris airport hotel room – using ‘Mother of Satan’ chemicals favoured by ISIS operatives.
The small blast at Charles de Gaulle led to the arrest of the 26-year-old, who has not been named, but who originally comes from the war-torn Donbas region of Ukraine.
He was badly injured in the explosion, but is expected to make a fully recovery.
The suspect suffered severe burns to his face and an arm, after igniting Triacetone Triperoxide (TATP) in an £80-room at the B&B Hotel, which is within the perimeter of the airport, the largest in France.
Such chemicals were previously used by ISIS suicide bombers during the November 2015 attacks on Paris, which claimed 130 lives, and also by the Manchester Arena bomber in 2017, when 22 people were killed, and more than 1000 wounded.
Terrorist groups behind such attacks, including ISIS and Al-Qaeda, frequently refer to TATP as ‘Mother of Satan’.
Details of the Paris blast were released after American president Mr Biden flew into the French capital in time for the D-Day 80th anniversary commemorations.
Despite his injuries, the suspect was able to communicate with officers from the General Directorate of Internal Security (DGSI) – France’s domestic security service.
Anti-terrorism prosecutors were also informed, and a formal investigation was opened into a variety of alleged offences.
“Initial findings revealed products and materials intended for the manufacture of explosive devices on site,” a source at France’s national anti-terrorist prosecutor’s office said.
“One of the improvised explosive devices exploded. The hotel had to be evacuated.
“The man, of Russian and Ukrainian nationality, who was conscious despite his injuries, explained to investigators that he had built home-made batteries for mobile phones when one of them exploded.”
Multiple security sources later confirmed that traces of TATP were found at the B&B Hotel.
The batteries were covered in plastic, with a match, powder and barbecue lighters inside a package, said the same sources.
Managers at the budget hotel, which is a short walk away from all the Charles de Gaulle terminals, have so far declined to comment on the incident.
But in addition to improvised bomb-making equipment, DGSI investigators are understood to have found ‘multiple passports’ in the man’s luggage.
The two-star B&B tourist hotel – one that is frequently used by British travellers – was immediately evacuated, and remained closed yesterday.
It has 226 air conditioned, non-smoking rooms and describes itself as a ‘cheap and well-located 24-hour check-in hotel’.
Its publicity states that it is ‘very close to the largest French and Parisian airport, so no more risk of missing your flight.’
Security sources say the suspect arrived in France ‘very recently’, and had booked into the B&B Hotel under his own name.
He is said to be recovering well from his wounds, and cooperating with officials.
Anti-terrorism prosecutors confirmed they have opened an investigation into ‘participation in a terrorist criminal association with a view to preparing crimes of attacks against persons, possession of an incendiary or explosive substance or product or of elements intended to compose an explosive device with a view to preparing destruction, and damage or harm to people, in connection with a terrorist enterprise.’
Intelligence officials believe that Russian operatives have started preparations for covert bombings and arson attacks against European infrastructure with little concern for civilian fatalities.
