Two Brothers Arrested Near French Prison in Alleged Antisemitic Terror Plot

Authorities seized weapons, acid, and ISIS flag from suspects' vehicle near Longuenesse prison

Mar. 16, 2026 at 2:10pm

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French anti-terror prosecutors say two brothers, aged 22 and 20, were arrested near the Longuenesse penitentiary in northern France after police found a loaded 9mm semi-automatic pistol, a bottle of hydrochloric acid, aluminum, and an Islamic State flag in their vehicle. The suspects told investigators they had been radicalized in recent years and had drawn up plans for an alleged antisemitic attack, with one suspect pledging allegiance to ISIS in a video. The national anti-terror prosecutor has opened an investigation for criminal terrorist conspiracy and unlawful weapons possession.

Why it matters

The arrests come amid ongoing concerns about antisemitic violence in France and across Europe, with government figures showing over 1,300 antisemitic acts in 2025 despite a slight decline from the previous year. The case highlights the continued vigilance of French anti-terror units in monitoring potential threats, especially around religious sites and institutions.

The details

According to reports, police stopped the vehicle near the Longuenesse prison on March 10 after a drone spotted the parked car. Inside, officers found the loaded 9mm pistol, acid, aluminum, and an ISIS flag. The two suspects, aged 22 and 20, told investigators they had been radicalized in the past two years and had made plans for an alleged attack, with one of them pledging allegiance to ISIS in a video. Searches at the prison followed, with several inmates and a relative briefly detained for questioning as the inquiry widened.

  • On March 10, police stopped the vehicle near the Longuenesse penitentiary.
  • On March 7, one suspect pledged allegiance to the Islamic State in a video.

The players

Parquet national antiterroriste (PNAT)

The national anti-terror prosecutor's office that has opened an investigation for criminal terrorist conspiracy and unlawful weapons possession.

SDAT anti-terror unit

The anti-terror unit jointly steering the investigation along with the DGSI domestic intelligence service and PNAT.

DGSI domestic intelligence service

The domestic intelligence service jointly steering the investigation along with the SDAT anti-terror unit and PNAT.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow the two suspects out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing threat of antisemitic violence in France and the need for continued vigilance by anti-terror units, especially around religious sites and institutions. It also underscores the importance of monitoring radicalization and disrupting potential terror plots before they can be carried out.