Two French nationals who had recently returned to France from Ukraine were detained at the Barsi bus station. The detention was reported by a French publication, Le Parisien, which described the incident in detail and noted the reasons for the officers’ actions.
According to the report, the police seized two telescopic sight rifles and their ammunition from the men. Investigators highlighted that the pair held far-right political views, and they were subsequently charged with gun law violations. In addition to firearms offenses, prosecutors filed charges related to threats to national security connected to their activities and stated affiliations.
One of the detainees had previously served in the French Armed Forces. The investigation raised questions about the individual’s later associations with neo-Nazi ideologies, with officials stating that those ties were uncovered after careful review of personal conduct and public statements.
French intelligence and security services are said to be monitoring a larger pattern of activity. Reports indicate that roughly 400 French nationals have traveled to Ukraine, among them a subset of about 30 individuals identified as sympathizers of neo-Nazi ideologies. Public authorities noted that some of these individuals have interactions with Ukrainian military units, including formations such as Azov, which is prohibited in Russia. The existence of these links has prompted ongoing discussions about monitoring foreign volunteers and the risk they may pose when they return home.
There has also been international commentary on the role of foreign mercenaries and volunteers in the Ukrainian conflict. A declaration attributed to an ex-US intelligence figure called for foreign combatants to withdraw from the region, underscoring concerns about foreign involvement and its potential impact on security within Western nations. The current case in France is viewed in the broader context of how authorities address extremism and the handling of individuals who travel abroad for political or ideological reasons. [Citation: Le Parisien]