French train attack poses EU security questions

Security measures were increased in European train stations after a gunman of Moroccan origin tried to shoot passengers of an Amsterdam-Brussels-Paris Thalys train on the 21 August 2015.

President Francois Hollande told a gathering of French diplomats on the 25 August 2015 that France must prepare for further terrorist attacks.

It was reported on the 26 August 2015 in France that the gunman had been charged with 'attempted murder of a terrorist nature' and remanded in custody. Ayoub el Khazzani was also charged with weapons offences and 'participation in a terrorist association with a view to organising one or several damaging crimes'.

• Primary Source

Politico, 24.08.15: The Erasmus terrorist network http://www.politico.eu/article/the-erasmus-terrorist-network/

Deutsche Welle, 23.08.15: French train rescue 'hasn't sunk in,' say US soldiers http://dw.com/p/1GKJh

France24, 23.08.15: US soldiers find themselves at centre of French train drama http://www.france24.com/en/20150822-france-train-us-soldiers-shooting

ESO: Background information: France shocked but not surprised by terror attack http://www.europeansources.info/record/france-shocked-but-not-surprised-by-terror-attack/

ESO: Background information: Belgium must do more to prevent its citizens from joining Islamic State http://www.europeansources.info/record/belgium-must-do-more-to-prevent-its-citizens-from-joining-islamic-state/

Euro|Topics: Main Focus, 24.08.15: Schengen criticised after attack in Thalys http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/archiv_dossier/DOSSIER168561-Schengen-criticised-after-attack-in-Thalys

EurActiv, 25.08.15: EU to review rail security after foiled Thalys attack http://www.euractiv.com/sections/transport/eu-review-rail-security-after-foiled-thalys-attack-317028

Deutsche Welle, 25.08.15: France must 'brace for further attacks' : Hollande http://dw.com/p/1GL7u

De Volkskrant, 25.08.15: Train station controls would be victory for terror (via Euro|Topics) http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/aehnliche/archiv_article/ARTICLE168630-Train-station-controls-would-be-victory-for-terror

The Local.fr, 25.08.15: Gunman 'visited jihadist site' before train attack http://www.thelocal.fr/20150825/deadline-looms-for-questioning-train-gunman

The Local.fr, 25.08.15: France 'must prepare for other attacks': Hollande http://www.thelocal.fr/20150825/france-must-prepare-for-other-attacks-hollande

BBC News, 26.08.15: France train shooting: Attack 'was well prepared' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-34055713

France24, 26.08.15: French prosecutor says train gunman had ‘terrorist intent’ http://www.france24.com/en/20150825-france-paris-prosecutor-train-gunman-khazzani-murder-terrorist-intent-thalys

EurActiv, 26.08.15: EU experts to discuss rail security on 9/11 http://www.euractiv.com/sections/global-europe/eu-experts-discuss-rail-security-911-317059

Politico, 26.08.15: Europe stands by Schengen http://www.politico.eu/article/europe-stands-by-schengen-free-movement-thalys-attack-border-control/

---