French police arrest ‘incel’ teenager over alleged plot to attack women
The investigation into the 18-year-old man is reportedly the national anti-terrorist prosecutor’s office first case linked to the so-called “incel” movement.
French authorities have arrested an 18-year-old man who claimed ties to the misogynistic so-called “incel” movement and placed him under investigation over an alleged plot to carry out attacks targeting women, according to media reports.
The probe by France’s national anti-terrorist prosecutor’s office (PNAT) is reportedly the department’s first case involving a suspect who identifies as an incel, or “involuntary celibate”.
This refers to a fringe online subculture dominated by men who blame women for their lack of sexual activity and who sometimes call for violence against them.
The office said on Tuesday that it had opened a judicial investigation “against a young man, aged 18, claiming to be a member of the incel movement,” adding that he was being probed for allegedly “associating with terrorist criminals to prepare one or more crimes against people,” French media said.
Read more: Euronews