France will deploy 6,000 police officers for the arrival of the Olympic flame in Marseille – Firstpost

France is set to deploy up to 6,000 police officers for the arrival of the Olympic flame next month as part of preparations for this year’s Paris Olympics, authorities said Friday as they announced staff bonuses security measures to face the threat of industrial action.

The police presence in Marseille for the arrival of the torch from Greece on May 8 will be larger than that with which Pope Francis was greeted during his visit to the port city along the French Mediterranean coast in September from last year.

Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin said an elite tactical unit, mine clearance teams, nautical police and an anti-drone team would be in place when a 19th century sailing ship, the Belem, entered the port. Organizers expect 150,000 people to watch.

Watch | The Olympic flame was presented to the host of the Paris 2024 Games during a ceremony in Athens

The additional forces will be in addition to local police and firefighters.

The torch was handed over to the organizers of the French Olympic Games in Athens on Friday and Belem will set sail on Saturday. The Paris Olympic Games begin on July 26.

Darmanin indicated that more than 1,000 boats that will make the trip with the Belem will all be checked.

The minister said there was no “specific threat” from the flame event, but law enforcement was prepared for scenarios including a “radical Islamist” attack with extremists far right and far left.

France is on heightened alert regarding Olympic security. A 16-year-old boy was officially charged on Friday after declaring on social media that he wanted to make an explosive belt and die a martyr at the Paris Games, the anti-terrorism prosecution said.

Investigators said the youths viewed “jihadist propaganda” online.

Authorities also feared police action after unions threatened to disrupt the torch relay across the country, accusing the government of blocking promised bonuses.

The government announced on Friday that a monthly bonus of 50 euros would be paid to certain police officers from July 1, and that it would be increased to 100 euros per month in 2025.

Unions said Ile-de-France police officers on duty during the Olympics would benefit from a bonus of 1,900 euros. This was confirmed in a letter sent to unions on Wednesday.

Unions welcomed the decision, but the National Police Alliance said it would remain “vigilant” and could still order measures regarding the taxation of bonuses and overtime.

With AFP inputs