Disneyland Paris: Man arrested after two guns and Koran 'found in suitcase'
The 28-year-old has not been identified and is in custody - but French police say it does not appear to have been a terror attack
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A man has been arrested at Disneyland Paris after two guns and a Koran were found in his suitcase.
The 28-year-old was on his way into the resort’s Hotel New York when the weapons were detected on, a spokesperson for the judicial police in Meaux told The Independent.
A compulsory X-ray of his luggage revealed the firearms and the man was detained by Disney security staff before being handed over to police, who discovered the Koran and ammmunition during further searches.
The man is believed to have told police that he took the guns and ammunition to the resort because he "feared for his safety", the BBC reports.
Police say they arrested him without a struggle.
Officers are still looking for the man's partner - a young woman - who is believed to still be on the run.
Police initially arrested a woman - believing she was the man's partner - but she was later released without charge after it emerged it wasn't her.
The man’s car, parked on the premises, had been cordoned off and was being searched this afternoon as inquiries continued.
The suspect is not believed to be known to the police or French intelligence services.
French newspaper Le Parisien reports that the man was of European origin but police have not released any further information or confirmed speculation about a possible terror plot.
Francois Banon, a spokesman for Disneyland Paris, said: "During a routine security screening checkpoint at one of our hotels, weapons were discovered in a guest's luggage through our X-ray machine.
"The police were immediately notified and the individual was arrested. We continue to work closely with the authorities, and the safety and security of our guests and cast members is our utmost priority."
The Hotel New York is one of the most expensive in the resort, bordering Lake Disney and within walking distance of the Disney Village dining and shopping area, as well as the railway station and entrances to Walt Disney Studios and Disneyland parks.
France remains in a state of emergency following the Paris attacks in November.
Isis militants killed 130 people in a series of shootings and suicide bombings across the capital.
Additional reporting by AP
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments