French Intelligence Services Removed 16 Members for Potential Radicalization Since 2014

The investigation, entrusted by the French Prime Minister, Édouard Philippe, the day after the attack carried out at the Paris Police Headquarters by Mickaël Harpon, revealed its secrets this Tuesday, January 21. According to the conclusions of the investigation, in addition to the sixteen people "removed" from the intelligence services since 2014 "for their potential radicalization or that of their entourage", no radicalized person has been discovered among the intelligence agents since the massacre at the Paris Police Headquarters.

According to a statement from Matignon, a series of measures, aimed at strengthening the internal security of the intelligence services, have been taken.

In terms of detection, reporting and processing of "at-risk behaviors and vulnerabilities" that may arise during the assignment of agents, it appeared to the ISR that the procedures between intelligence services could be "heterogeneous", and that their appropriation by the various hierarchical levels should be "strengthened", the same source specified.

Furthermore, since January 15, 2020, "cases of radicalization within the internal security forces and intelligence services are now the subject of centralized monitoring," Matignon said. It also states that it has established the principle of prior security clearance for any appointment within an intelligence service.