France Declares Highest Level of Terrorist Threat: State of Emergency

France has announced an increase in the terrorist threat level to the maximum "state of emergency" following the terrorist attack in Russia, for which the Islamic State claimed responsibility. 

The decision was made at the Elysee Palace at a meeting of the French Defence Council late on Sunday, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said on his official Twitter page.

"Following the terrorist attack in Moscow, the French President has convened a meeting of the National Defence and Security Council at the Elysee Palace this evening. Given that the Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack and the threats facing our country, we have decided to raise the Vigipirate level to the highest: an extraordinary attack," the statement said. 

According to the government, the Islamic State organisation threatens France and has been involved in a number of recent foiled attacks in several European countries.

The Vigipirate plan has been in place since 1978 and is used not only in France but also near French diplomatic missions.

Activated on Sunday, the "emergency attack" level can be activated immediately after an attack or if an identified or unidentified terrorist group starts acting, as was the case in Russia. 

On the evening of 22 March, "people in camouflage" entered the Crocus City Hall concert hall (Krasnogorsk, near Moscow) and opened fire with automatic weapons on peaceful visitors. During the attack on the shopping centre, explosions were heard and a large-scale fire broke out in several places. As of now, 133 people have been killed and 152 injured. The Islamic State terrorist group claimed responsibility for the attack. More than 10 suspects were detained in Russia. 

Nevertheless, the Russian leadership and Russian media stubbornly continued to blame Ukraine and the West for the terror.