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France security: Chechens arrested over alleged attack plan France security: Chechens arrested amid high alert
(about 3 hours later)
Police in southern France have detained five Chechens on suspicion of preparing an attack, prosecutors say. French police have detained five Chechens on suspicion of possessing explosives, with the country on high alert following attacks in Paris.
The arrests took place in Beziers and Saint-Jean-de-Vedas, near Montpellier. The men were known to organised crime units but not those investigating terrorism, officials said.
They come as France remains on high alert following attacks in Paris that killed 17, including 12 at the offices of satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. Separately, four men charged with supporting Amedy Coulibaly, one of the Paris gunmen, are due to appear in court in Paris later on Tuesday.
Four men charged with supporting Amedy Coulibaly, one of the gunmen behind the attacks, are due to appear in court in Paris later on Tuesday. Seventeen people were killed in three days of shootings in Paris this month.
It is not known whether the arrest of the Chechens is connected to the attacks in Paris earlier this month. The Chechens were arrested in raids in Beziers and Saint-Jean-de-Vedas, near Montpellier.
One suspect was arrested in the city of Beziers and another four were detained near Saint-Jean-de-Vedas, according to local media. A cache of explosives was found during police searches, and investigators are trying to determine whether the men were planning an attack.
Certain "products" were recovered during police searches, officials said, without giving further details. Unconfirmed reports said a stash of explosives was found. People "shouldn't jump to conclusions" about the arrests, said Yvon Calvet, a prosecutor in Beziers.
Chechnya, a highly restive and predominantly Muslim region in Russia, has seen large demonstrations against cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad published by Charlie Hebdo last week.Chechnya, a highly restive and predominantly Muslim region in Russia, has seen large demonstrations against cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad published by Charlie Hebdo last week.
First to face chargesFirst to face charges
Three days of attacks began in Paris on 7 January when brothers Cherif and Said Kouachi burst into the offices of Charlie Hebdo, killing 12 people.Three days of attacks began in Paris on 7 January when brothers Cherif and Said Kouachi burst into the offices of Charlie Hebdo, killing 12 people.
Coulibaly killed four Jewish hostages on 9 January before being shot dead by police. He is also believed to have shot dead a policewoman the day before.Coulibaly killed four Jewish hostages on 9 January before being shot dead by police. He is also believed to have shot dead a policewoman the day before.
The Paris prosecutor's office said the four men in court on Tuesday - the first to face charges in the Paris terror attacks - were suspected of providing logistical support to Coulibaly.The Paris prosecutor's office said the four men in court on Tuesday - the first to face charges in the Paris terror attacks - were suspected of providing logistical support to Coulibaly.
The men, aged 22 to 28, are expected to be placed under formal investigation. The men, who were among 12 arrested on Friday, are expected to be placed under formal investigation.
They were among 12 people arrested in police raids on Friday. Three of the women detained in the raids were freed on Saturday and five people were released overnight on Tuesday. 'Ethnic apartheid'
French Prime Minister Manuel Valls said the attacks had highlighted deep divisions in French society.
"The stigmas are still present. A territorial, social and ethnic apartheid that has imposed itself on our country," he said.
"In addition to the social misery, are the daily discriminations, because someone does not have the right name, the right colour of skin, or because she is a woman.''
Almost 15,000 extra police and troops have been mobilised to boost security across France since the Paris attacks.Almost 15,000 extra police and troops have been mobilised to boost security across France since the Paris attacks.
Hundreds of soldiers are also being deployed across Belgium following a series of anti-terror raids and arrests. Meanwhile, a Malian man who helped shoppers during the supermarket siege by Coulibaly has received French nationality.
Meanwhile, a Malian employee who helped shoppers during the supermarket siege by Coulibaly is due to receive French nationality on Tuesday.
Lassana Bathily, a 24-year-old Muslim, hid customers inside a basement cold store when the gunman stormed the shop and took people hostage.Lassana Bathily, a 24-year-old Muslim, hid customers inside a basement cold store when the gunman stormed the shop and took people hostage.
He will receive a French passport at a ceremony in his honour after his application was fast-tracked. He received a French passport at a ceremony in his honour after his application was fast-tracked.
It comes after a petition was circulated calling for him to be granted citizenship. "People say I'm a hero but I'm not a hero. I'm Lassana," he said at a ceremony.
He has lived in France for nine years and applied for citizenship last year. "I'll stay the same. I would do the same again, because I was following my heart."
How the attacks unfolded (all times GMT)How the attacks unfolded (all times GMT)
Three days of terrorThree days of terror