Ukraine arrests Frenchman 'planning Euro 2016 attacks'

Security service says man intended to blow up a Muslim mosque, a Jewish synagogue and numerous other locations

KIEV: Ukraine's security service said on Monday it had arrested a Frenchman who was allegedly planning to stage 15 terror attacks before and during the Euro 2016 football championship that starts in France later this week.

SBU security service chief Vasyl Grytsak said the man intended to blow up "a Muslim mosque, a Jewish synagogue, tax collection organisations, police patrol units and numerous other locations."

The Frenchman "planned to conduct 15 terrorist strikes," Grytsak told reporters. "He obtained five Kalashnikov rifles, more than 5,000 bullets, two anti-tank grenade launchers, 125 kilogrammes (275 pounds) of TNT, 100 detonators, 20 balaclavas and other things."