American bank Citi has moved its employees to remote work arrangements, according to today’s announcement, stating that the decision was made “for precautionary reasons” following threats against American banking institutions.
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“The safety of our employees is our absolute priority and we are taking necessary measures to ensure their protection,” consequently, “employees in Paris and Frankfurt are working remotely as a precaution,” said a Citi group spokesperson.
In its announcement, which refers to “an international environment of increased tensions and high level of terrorist threat,” the French police directorate states that “enhanced security measures have been implemented in the greater Paris area around places of worship and culture, diplomatic missions and points of economic interest of the parties involved.”
An attack was prevented last Saturday against the Bank of America headquarters in Paris. Police arrested a 17-year-old man who had just placed an improvised explosive device and, according to the indictment, was preparing to detonate it with a lighter.
This attack may be linked to a pro-Iranian organization, announced the Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office (Pnat), which assigned the case to investigators and requested the detention of four suspects, three of whom are minors.
From today, police surveillance measures are being implemented in front of the American bank Goldman Sachs in the 8th arrondissement, near the Champs-Élysées in Paris, announced a police source.
This measure is part of the enhanced vigilance measures that have been implemented in recent weeks for American interests and the Jewish community on French territory.
It also follows, according to the same source, a message from a security official of the London-based bank, who had received an electronic message from American authorities stating that an Iranian group threatens attacks on buildings with explosive devices.
The French Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office yesterday opened an investigation for establishing a criminal terrorist organization, manufacturing, possession and transportation of explosive devices, as well as for attempted destruction in the context of terrorist activity.
