Finance
Four Suspects in Foiled BofA Paris Bombing Put in Pre-Trial Detention
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on April 2, 2026
3 min readLast updated: April 2, 2026
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A man and three minors have been placed in pre-trial detention in connection with a foiled March 28 bomb attempt at Bank of America’s Paris office, involving a highly powerful explosive device. Authorities suspect a newly emerged pro‑Iranian group, HAYI, may be behind the plot.
Four Suspects Detained over Foiled Bank of America Paris Bomb Plot
Details Emerge in Bank of America Paris Bomb Plot Investigation
Suspects and Charges
PARIS, April 2 (Reuters) - A man and three minors have been put in pre-trial detention as part of investigations into a foiled March bomb attack on the Bank of America's Paris office, authorities said - a plot that officials say may be linked to a pro-Iranian group.
The explosive device was the most powerful of its kind discovered in France and "could have generated ... a powerful fireball several metres in diameter and spread a fire," the anti-terrorism prosecutor said late on Wednesday.
The adult and three minors aged 16 and 17 are under formal investigation on suspicion of manufacturing, transporting and handling an explosive device and trying to destroy property as part of a terrorist organization, according to the statement.
Suspects’ Statements and Legal Status
All four denied terrorist intent, it added. The adult said he was contacted on a social network by someone who identified themselves as an intermediary and then sent him the device, according to the statement.
The teenagers acknowledged knowing the target was not a residential building, it added. There were no immediate statements from any lawyers representing the suspects.
Being placed under formal investigation in France does not imply guilt, but indicates judges consider there is enough evidence to proceed with the probe. Investigations can last years before being sent to trial or dropped.
Possible Pro-Iranian Group Link
France suspects a pro-Iranian group known as HAYI could be behind the plot that was foiled on March 28, even though the link has not yet been formally established, the prosecutor said earlier this week.
HAYI had posted a video on social media on March 23 specifically naming Bank of America's Paris headquarters.
Investigation Details
Investigators established through CCTV footage, phone data and police interviews that the adult had recruited the three teenagers between the nights of March 26 and 27, paying them between 500 and 1,000 euros ($580-$1,160) to plant the device, light it and film the scene, the prosecutor's office said.
Backgrounds of the Suspects
The three minors had no criminal record and the adult was convicted in a drug-related case in 2025, according to the statement. A fifth person was arrested and interrogated by police but later freed for lack of evidence.
(Reporting by Inti Landauro, Editing by Dominique Vidalon and Andrew Heavens)
Key Takeaways
- •The explosive device, a gasoline‑filled container with 650 g of active pyrotechnic material, is the most powerful of its kind discovered in France (apnews.com)
- •The adult suspect allegedly recruited three teenagers (aged 16‑17) between March 26–27, paying them €500–1,000 to plant, ignite and film the device, but all deny terrorist intent (apnews.com)
- •Authorities suspect the pro‑Iranian HAYI group posted a propaganda video on March 23 naming Bank of America’s Paris headquarters; the link is considered likely but not yet legally established (apnews.com)
References
Frequently Asked Questions about Four suspects in foiled BofA Paris bombing put in pre-trial detention
1Who has been detained in connection with the foiled Bank of America Paris bombing?
A man and three minors have been put in pre-trial detention in connection with the foiled bomb attack on Bank of America's Paris office.
2What organization might be linked to the foiled bombing plot?
French authorities suspect a pro-Iranian group known as HAYI may be linked to the plot, although this has not been formally established.
3What charges are the suspects under investigation for?
The suspects are under formal investigation for manufacturing, transporting, and handling an explosive device, and for attempting to destroy property as part of a terrorist organization.
4How powerful was the explosive device found at Bank of America's Paris office?
Authorities said the device was the most powerful of its kind discovered in France and could have generated a large, damaging fireball.
5How were the suspects allegedly recruited for the bombing plot?
The adult suspect allegedly recruited the three teenagers via a social network, offering them 500 to 1,000 euros to plant, light, and film the device.
