France extends Olympics' surveillance measures to cover Christmas market

Some lawyers, activists concerned that this could become norm for other major events

PARIS - The first time French police informed the Chechen refugee that he was prohibited from leaving the north-eastern city of Strasbourg and must check in with them daily, he did not think it was worth contesting the order.

France was in the midst of a massive security operation for the Summer Olympic Games, he explained, and he did not think the authorities would listen to someone identified as a potential threat because of interactions with people identified as "pro-jihadist".

But when the Interior Ministry extended the order in late August to help protect a famed Christmas market that was the target of a deadly attack in 2018, the refugee, known to friends as Khaled, appealed to the city's administrative court.

A panel of judges concluded the measures were "disproportionate", saying in an Oct 3 decision seen by Reuters that he had no criminal record and was not under investigation for any crime.

While they kept in place a prohibition on attending the Strasbourg Christmas market, they lifted the other measures. But the ruling came too late for the 20-year-old to enrol in a college where he was due to start a cybersecurity course in September, according to evidence submitted by his lawyer.

"I lost my place. This year has gone to waste," Mr Khaled told Reuters, speaking on condition that he be identified by the nickname because he fears his academic and career aspirations would be derailed if it becomes known he is being monitored by police.

The deadly car-ramming attack at a Christmas market in the German city of Magdeburg on Dec 20 has prompted renewed scrutiny in a number of European countries of security arrangements for the seasonal markets, which draw large crowds.