Russian Chef Arrested in Paris for Alleged Plot to Sabotage Olympic Games

In Paris, a 40-year-old Russian chef, Kirill Gryaznov, was arrested alleged spy plotting to sabotage the Paris Olympic Games. After drinking, he told his friends that he had a mission and waved his FSB employee ID in front of them.

Gryaznov first came under the scrutiny of intelligence services on May 8, when he was denied boarding a flight from Istanbul to Paris because he was too drunk. He then took a taxi to Bulgaria.

In Bulgaria, Gryaznov drank again and shared his secret mission at a dinner, according to The Telegraph.

Before flying to Paris, he called his FSB handlers to report that the operation was proceeding as planned and that he had hired "another Moldovan from Chisinau."

This detail piqued the interest of French investigators, as they had previously identified Moldovans connected to a Russian intelligence network involved in hybrid attacks in France.

Gryaznov was arrested in his apartment in central Paris, where documents related to an elite special operations unit under the command of the FSB were found during a search. Gryaznov said on a phone call, intercepted by French officers: “The French are going to have an opening ceremony like there has never been before.” 

Witnesses also reported that he had flashed his FSB identification during a drunken dinner, telling neighbors he was on a special mission to sabotage the Olympic Games.

Gryaznov is currently accused of transmitting "intelligence to a foreign state with the intent to provoke military actions in France." He faces up to 30 years in a French prison.

In 2010, Gryaznov studied cooking at Le Cordon Bleu, one of the world's most prestigious culinary schools. According to The Telegraph, he was already a recruited agent at that time.

Before moving to Paris 14 years ago, Gryaznov appeared on the Russian reality show "Choose Me," modeled after the American show "The Bachelor." He was presented as a "successful businessman and restaurateur."

This Friday, July 26, just hours before the Paris Olympic Games opening ceremony, France's high-speed rail network was hit by arson attacks that disrupted travel. According to a source close to the investigation, the attacks were described as "coordinated acts of sabotage," as reported by France-Presse (AFP).

The attacks were carried out as Paris prepared for the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, which will be attended by 7,500 athletes, 300,000 spectators, and many VIPs.