20-Year-Old Afghan Suspected ISIS-K Operative Arrested in Lyon Amid Rising Jihadist Threats in France

French authorities arrested a 20-year-old Afghan national in Lyon on October 26, suspected of acting as a relay for the Islamic State Khorasan (ISIS-K), a deadly branch of ISIS active in Central Asia. The General Directorate for Internal Security (DGSI) detained the man in a Lyon detention center as part of an anti-terror operation. He has been charged in Paris with participation in a terrorist criminal organization and financing terrorism, according to the French national anti-terror prosecutor's office (Pnat).

The suspect, who arrived in France several years ago, is believed to have direct ties with ISIS-K members operating in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and former Soviet republics such as Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Investigations revealed he had previously promoted terrorism and disseminated jihadist propaganda, notably via youth-focused social media platforms like TikTok and Snapchat.

French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin had previously warned about the existence of potential ISIS-K sleeper cells within France and categorized the group as the most significant terrorist threat today. The Pnat prosecutor Olivier Christen highlighted that jihadist threats now account for 80% of their cases, with a significant rise in terrorism-related procedures compared to the previous year. This surge is attributed to geopolitical developments and the evolving ISIS-K conflict with the Taliban in Afghanistan.

ISIS-K has drawn notable international attention, particularly after a March 2024 terrorist attack in Moscow that caused significant casualties. The group continues to aim at expanding its operational capacity globally, underlining the importance of vigilance by French security services.

This arrest underscores France’s increasing focus on combating jihadist networks within its borders amid a broader rise in threats from ISIS-K and related groups in Central Asia and beyond.