France probes plot linked to jailed jihadist’s ex-girlfriend

French magistrates are investigating the ex-girlfriend of a man jailed for the deadly November 13, 2015, Paris attacks over an alleged jihadist plot, prosecutors say.

But Salah Abdeslam himself was not involved in any plot, the national anti-terror prosecutor’s office (PNAT) says.

The probe comes as France prepares to mark the 10th anniversary of the Islamic State group’s attacks in and around Paris, which killed 130 people and wounded hundreds more. Abdeslam was sentenced to life in jail in 2022, after nine fellow attackers blew themselves up or were killed by police.

Magistrates opened a probe after finding several discussions or internet searches linked to a “plot for violent action” on electronic devices found at the home of Maeva B, the PNAT says. The woman, who has been in custody since Tuesday, exhibited “clear radicalization and a fascination for jihad,” the PNAT says. Local broadcaster RTL reports she is 27 years old.

Her home was searched as part of another investigation into USB devices handed to Abdeslam in detention in December last year and this January, it adds.