French police arrest Islamist suspects
Police in France have arrested some 20 suspected Islamists in dawn raids, BBC News reported, citing the French media.s
Several of the raids were in Toulouse, where gunman Mohamed Merah operated, but also took place in other cities.
Merah, who killed seven people in three separate attacks, was buried in Toulouse on Thursday after being killed in a shoot-out with police on 22 March.
Police have been hunting possible accomplices but sources said there was no direct link with the raids.
Merah's brother, Abdelkader, has been charged with aiding him and police are hunting a third man said to be involved in the theft of a scooter that Merah used in all the killings.
The raids were carried out by the domestic intelligence agency, the DCRI, with the help of the elite Raid police commando group, Agence France-Presse news agency reports.
But there were also raids in Nantes, which is believed to be a centre for the Forsane Alizza (Knights of Pride) group, to which Merah had been linked by some French media.
It is a Salafist group that was dissolved by the interior ministry in an earlier investigation.
Other arrests took place in Lyon, Marseille, Paris, Nice and Le Mans.
Videos
![](/cache_video/video_images/17/49315_3/ebrd.thumb-550x310.png)
Interview with Francis Malige, EBRD Managing Director
![](/cache_video/video_images/67/199285_3/april_24.thumb-550x310.png)
Armenians Commemorating 106th Anniversary of Genocide
![](/cache_video/video_images/67/199086_3/biden_genocide_v3.thumb-550x310.jpg)
Biden Under Pressure to Recognize Armenian Genocide - KTLA 5 News
![](/cache_video/video_images/17/48505_3/untitled_v4.thumb-550x310.jpg)
Governance and Oversight Capacities Account for Our Bank's Robust Management System - Philip Lynch, Independent Board Member at Ameriabank
![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/YsUfAAHX-Bs/maxresdefault.jpg)
'Mr. President, It Is Now in Your Power to Right Decades of Denial' - US Congressman Adam Schiff Urges Joe Biden to Recognize Armenian Genocide
![](/cache_video/video_images/17/48048_3/untitled.thumb-550x310.png)
Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh in Despair After Trauma of Military Defeat - France 24
![](/cache_video/video_images/65/193399_3/ef.thumb-550x310.jpg)
Interview with Kakhaber Kiknavelidze, an Independent Member of Ameriabank Board of Directors
![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/YgKLSoO1JU4/maxresdefault.jpg)
Only Terrorists Keep Hostages, Putting Forward Preconditions for Their Release - Edmon Marukyan
![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/GCXrePjX--E/maxresdefault.jpg)
Rep Adam Schiff Says Congress Should Recognize Artsakh
![](/cache_video/video_images/16/45838_3/un_v2.thumb-550x310.jpg)
UN's Guterres Issues Global Appeal to Make 2021 'Year of Healing'
![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/rzmd7RouGrM/maxresdefault.jpg)
NASA's Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover Landing Animations
![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/oCKNREhXAoo/maxresdefault.jpg)
Azerbaijan Uses Prohibited Phosphorus Chemical Munitions - Defense Army Video
![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/wVdiJ8AdQx0/maxresdefault.jpg)
Artsakh Defense Army Units Neutralizing Azerbaijani Arms Supplies
![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/AzLOovjnkdo/maxresdefault.jpg)
Artsakh Defense Army Units Neutralizing Azerbaijani Drone
![](/cache_video/video_images/15/44149_3/zohrab_mnatsakanyan.thumb-550x310.png)
Nagorno-Karabakh's Status Has Been At the Heart of Our Approach - Zohrab Mnatsakanyan
![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/86_V0iUxKBQ/maxresdefault.jpg)
Artsakh Defense Army Releases Video Featuring Damaged Azerbaijani Military Equipment
![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/r7h5Lu4D8Ww/maxresdefault.jpg)
Artsakh Defense Army Units Inflicting Manpower Losses on Azerbaijan
![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/I4vTMFuEjqs/maxresdefault.jpg)
Gas Pipeline Damaged in Azerbaijani Fire Targeting Nagorno-Karabakh's Capital
![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/8EvGzTYdK5c/maxresdefault.jpg)
President Armen Sarkissian Meets Emmanuel Macron at Élysée Palace
![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/u96OSWiG0O0/maxresdefault.jpg)
Artsakh Defense Army Neutralizes Azerbaijani Military Hardware
![](/cache_video/video_images/59/174611_3/frontline.thumb-550x310.jpg)
Artsakh Defense Army Units Neutralizing Azerbaijani Military Infrastructures
![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/1G5TqYmDBew/maxresdefault.jpg)
President Armen Sarkissian Meets with NATO Secretary-General in Brussels
![](/cache_video/video_images/15/44003_3/stepanakert_1.thumb-550x310.png)
Buildings and Homes Lying in Ruins in Nagorno-Karabakh's Capital After Azerbaijani Shelling
![](/cache_video/video_images/15/43969_3/fire.thumb-550x310.png)
Artsakh Defense Army's Precision Fire Gives Deadly Blow to Enemy
![](/cache_video/video_images/58/173649_3/tanks.thumb-550x310.png)
Artsakh Defense Army Units Destroying Azerbaijani Tank
![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/n91BdmvGi2E/maxresdefault.jpg)
Zohrab Mnatsakanyan: Ceasefire Does not Mandate Azerbaijan to Kill Civilians and Hit Civilian Settlements
![](/cache_video/video_images/58/173520_3/la.thumb-550x310.jpg)
Armenians Protest Outside Turkrish Embassy in Los Angeles
![](/cache_video/video_images/58/173280_3/artsakh.thumb-550x310.jpg)
Losses in Azerbaijan's Military Featured in Defense Army Footage
![](/cache_video/video_images/58/173240_3/transport_column.thumb-550x310.png)
Artsakh Defense Army Neutralizing Adversary's Transport Column
![](/cache_video/video_images/58/173229_3/abc.thumb-550x310.png)
Turkey openly backs Azerbaijan 'far more aggressively than in the past' - ABC News on Syrian mercenaries fighting in Karabakh
![](/cache_video/video_images/58/173091_3/church.thumb-550x310.jpg)
Iconic Armenian Church Hit in Azerbaijani Attacks in Nagorno-Karabakh City (photos)
![](/cache_video/video_images/58/173013_3/strikes.thumb-550x310.jpg)
Artsakh Defense Army Continues High-Precision Strikes
![](/cache_video/video_images/15/43777_3/mep.thumb-550x310.png)
War Situation in Karabakh on European Parliament's Agenda
![](/cache_video/video_images/58/172572_3/armnews.thumb-550x310.png)
Call for Urgent Action: Armenian Journalist Brings Intn'l Colleagues' Attention to Situation iin Artsakh After Azerbaijani Attacks
![](/cache_video/video_images/15/43689_3/artsakh_n.thumb-550x310.jpg)
Turkey's Support to Syrian Mercenaries Fighting Against Artsakh: Facts About Azerbaijani Aggression
![](/cache_video/video_images/58/172396_3/stepanakert.thumb-550x310.png)
Nagorno-Karabakh's Capital Under Azerbaijani Strikes
![](/cache_video/video_images/58/172248_3/video.thumb-550x310.jpg)
Armenian Armed Forces Neutralize Azerbaijani Defense Positions
![](/cache_video/video_images/58/171448_3/fighting.thumb-550x310.jpg)
ArmenianTroops Destroy Azerbaijani Armored Fighting Vehicle on Frontline
![](/cache_video/video_images/58/171424_3/f5f723cbfd6d50_5f723cbfd6da4.thumb-550x310.jpg)
There is a solid evidence that Azerbaijan has launched a thoroughly planned attack on the NKR
![](/cache_video/video_images/58/171353_3/eu_karabakh.thumb-550x310.png)
EU calls for Immediate End to Hostilities over Nagorno-Karabakh
-
15:20 • 24.05.21 Interview with Francis Malige, EBRD Managing Director
-
11:39 • 24.04.21 Armenians Commemorating 106th Anniversary of Genocide
-
09:40 • 23.04.21 Biden Under Pressure to Recognize Armenian Genocide - KTLA 5 News
-
15:34 • 22.04.21 Governance and Oversight Capacities Account for Our Bank's Robust Management System - Philip Lynch, Independent Board Member at Ameriabank
-
14:09 • 21.04.21 'Mr. President, It Is Now in Your Power to Right Decades of Denial' - US Congressman Adam Schiff Urges Joe Biden to Recognize Armenian Genocide
-
12:37 • 03.04.21 Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh in Despair After Trauma of Military Defeat - France 24
-
17:33 • 11.03.21 Interview with Kakhaber Kiknavelidze, an Independent Member of Ameriabank Board of Directors
-
17:57 • 26.01.21 Only Terrorists Keep Hostages, Putting Forward Preconditions for Their Release - Edmon Marukyan
-
13:33 • 22.01.21 Rep Adam Schiff Says Congress Should Recognize Artsakh
-
09:42 • 29.12.20 UN's Guterres Issues Global Appeal to Make 2021 'Year of Healing'
-
18:41 • 24.12.20 NASA's Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover Landing Animations
-
13:33 • 31.10.20 Azerbaijan Uses Prohibited Phosphorus Chemical Munitions - Defense Army Video
-
16:37 • 30.10.20 Artsakh Defense Army Units Neutralizing Azerbaijani Arms Supplies
-
11:25 • 28.10.20 Artsakh Defense Army Units Neutralizing Azerbaijani Drone
-
13:45 • 24.10.20 Nagorno-Karabakh's Status Has Been At the Heart of Our Approach - Zohrab Mnatsakanyan
-
11:51 • 24.10.20 Artsakh Defense Army Releases Video Featuring Damaged Azerbaijani Military Equipment
-
11:40 • 24.10.20 Artsakh Defense Army Units Inflicting Manpower Losses on Azerbaijan
-
10:39 • 24.10.20 Gas Pipeline Damaged in Azerbaijani Fire Targeting Nagorno-Karabakh's Capital
-
12:41 • 23.10.20 President Armen Sarkissian Meets Emmanuel Macron at Élysée Palace
-
12:16 • 23.10.20 Artsakh Defense Army Neutralizes Azerbaijani Military Hardware
-
12:02 • 22.10.20 Artsakh Defense Army Units Neutralizing Azerbaijani Military Infrastructures
-
10:35 • 22.10.20 President Armen Sarkissian Meets with NATO Secretary-General in Brussels
-
10:51 • 17.10.20 Buildings and Homes Lying in Ruins in Nagorno-Karabakh's Capital After Azerbaijani Shelling
-
15:09 • 15.10.20 Artsakh Defense Army's Precision Fire Gives Deadly Blow to Enemy
-
13:13 • 13.10.20 Artsakh Defense Army Units Destroying Azerbaijani Tank
-
12:56 • 12.10.20 Zohrab Mnatsakanyan: Ceasefire Does not Mandate Azerbaijan to Kill Civilians and Hit Civilian Settlements
-
12:23 • 12.10.20 Armenians Protest Outside Turkrish Embassy in Los Angeles
-
17:23 • 09.10.20 Losses in Azerbaijan's Military Featured in Defense Army Footage
-
15:53 • 09.10.20 Artsakh Defense Army Neutralizing Adversary's Transport Column
-
14:11 • 09.10.20 Turkey openly backs Azerbaijan 'far more aggressively than in the past' - ABC News on Syrian mercenaries fighting in Karabakh
-
15:52 • 08.10.20 Iconic Armenian Church Hit in Azerbaijani Attacks in Nagorno-Karabakh City (photos)
-
10:57 • 08.10.20 Artsakh Defense Army Continues High-Precision Strikes
-
14:24 • 07.10.20 War Situation in Karabakh on European Parliament's Agenda
-
19:31 • 05.10.20 Call for Urgent Action: Armenian Journalist Brings Intn'l Colleagues' Attention to Situation iin Artsakh After Azerbaijani Attacks
-
16:17 • 04.10.20 Turkey's Support to Syrian Mercenaries Fighting Against Artsakh: Facts About Azerbaijani Aggression
-
12:39 • 04.10.20 Nagorno-Karabakh's Capital Under Azerbaijani Strikes
-
13:49 • 03.10.20 Armenian Armed Forces Neutralize Azerbaijani Defense Positions
-
10:12 • 29.09.20 ArmenianTroops Destroy Azerbaijani Armored Fighting Vehicle on Frontline
-
23:42 • 28.09.20 There is a solid evidence that Azerbaijan has launched a thoroughly planned attack on the NKR
-
18:45 • 28.09.20 EU calls for Immediate End to Hostilities over Nagorno-Karabakh
Most popular articles Today Yesterday For a week
-
Politics 10:44 • 03/07 Biden’s latest excuse: Blame it on the travel President Joe Biden is now chalking up his fumbling debate performance to a heavy travel schedule ahead of the face-off with Donald Trump — the latest in a series of explanations for an episode that has caused some Democrats to call for him to drop his reelection bid.
-
Economy 15:47 • 28/06 Saribek Sukiasyan, Chairman of the Board of Armeconombank, shares his life experience. Traditionally, the management of the businesses owned by our family is clearly differentiated between the Sukiasyan brothers in terms of responsibility, and when acquiring the Bank, its management was entrusted to me by my family.
-
Event 11:03 • 01/07 Shops are boarded up amid fears of left-wing riots as far-right National Rally wins first round of snap French election Cities across France are once again set to burn, as militant activists take to the streets to violently protest the results of the first round of the snap election, which saw the far-right National Rally party soar ahead in the polls.
-
Politics 10:59 • 01/07 Biden’s family encourages him to stay in the race as they discuss whether top advisers should be fired Joe Biden’s family on Sunday encouraged the president to stay in the 2024 race and privately discussed whether top aides should be fired on the heels of Biden’s stunningly poor debate performance, which
-
Politics 10:44 • 03/07 Biden’s latest excuse: Blame it on the travel President Joe Biden is now chalking up his fumbling debate performance to a heavy travel schedule ahead of the face-off with Donald Trump — the latest in a series of explanations for an episode that has caused some Democrats to call for him to drop his reelection bid.
Law
-
15:33 • 13.06.24 Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan: Abraham Gasparyan has been tortured
Event
-
12:11 • 26.06.24 Viva-MTS: Green technologies in Gomq
Science/tech
-
14:18 • 08.05.24 AstraZeneca withdrawing Covid vaccine worldwide