In a coordinated attack metal rods were jammed against overhead power cables, taking out trains on lines north, east and south of the capital, causing chaos to the French rail network. Five people are still being held and a total of nine people are being charged with criminal association with the aim of terrorism and sabotage, and one of the defendants is charged with being the leader of a terrorist group. Police claim that the group has had contact with people across Europe in countries such as Germany, Greece, Belgium and the UK. The group had been under heavy police surveillance since April after the French police were alerted by the FBI after some members had tried to cross the US border illegally.

Here are several links to other media articles:
 http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1858191,00.html
 http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20081111/ts_afp/francerailtransportattackarrests_081111121525
 http://www.france24.com/en/20081111-eight-arrested-over-french-rail-sabotage-sncf-attacks
 http://www.france24.com/en/20081111-train-sabotage-eight-leftwing-anarchists-arrested-minister-0
 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7722019.stm
 http://anarchistnews.org/?q=node/5470

french:
 http://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2008/11/16/sncf-cinq-jeunes-en-detention-provisoire_1119306_3224.html

video:
 http://www.france24.com/en/20081111-eight-arrested-over-french-rail-sabotage-sncf-attacks