A Russian man has been arrested in France on suspicion of plotting acts of “destabilization” during the Paris Olympics, prosecutors have said, writes BBC.

Local media reports that a 40-year-old man was arrested on Sunday and an investigation opened into the possible passing of “intelligence to a foreign power in order to arouse hostilities in France”. The alleged plot is not believed to have been for a terror attack.

It comes just days before the games get under way, with the opening ceremony set to take place in central Paris on Friday. Prosecutors said a search had been carried out at the man’s Paris apartment at the request of the French interior ministry.

A source close to the investigation told Le Parisien agents had discovered evidence that suggested the man was preparing “pro-Russian operations” to destabilise France during the games. Another source said the alleged plot was a “large-scale project” that could have had “serious” consequences.

No further details have been given other than that the investigation is being carried out by specialists in counter-espionage, not counter-terrorism. The man was indicted on Tuesday evening and placed in pre-trial detention. The crimes being investigated are reportedly punishable by a prison sentence of up to 30 years.