French police arrest 3 over bomb-making materials

By Hajer M'tiri

PARIS

One more person was arrested over suspected links to potential bomb-making materials found in an apartment in Villejuif, a commune in the southern suburbs of Paris, according to the capital prosecutor’s office.

Two people were arrested by French police earlier on Wednesday after officers discovered materials that could be used to make explosives.

French Interior Minister Gerard Collomb told Franceinfo TV phone conversations of the suspects revealed that the explosives were meant to blow up banks.

Collomb also said the suspects had regular contacts with Syria.

The counterterrorism section of the Paris public prosecutor's office said in a statement it had taken charge of the investigation with the Directorate-General for Internal Security (DGSI) without giving any further details.

The tenant of the apartment and a friend of his were arrested in a bar near the apartment, according to French broadcaster BFMTV.

Local media also shared footage of the apartment showing gas bottles and other components, which could reportedly be used to make explosives.

France has been on high alert with enhanced security measures in the wake of a wave of deadly terror attacks over the last two years.