France charges man arrested over foiled attack in Paris

French anti-terrorist judge on Saturday charged a man with alleged involvement in a foiled attack planned for December 1 in the French capital, local media reported.

The 31-year-old suspect was arrested earlier this weak and placed under formal investigation on charges of "association with terrorist and criminal organisation," and "acquiring, holding, transporting and offering ...weapons, in connection with a terrorist group," Xinhua cited BFMTV news channel as saying.

Investigators suspected him of having providing arms to a group of men who planned to attack police and public sites in and around Paris earlier this month.

Last month, four French men and one of Moroccan origin, were arrested in a foiled assault. They were directed by an Islamic State commander, according to Paris prosecutor Francois Molins.

Aged between 35 and 41, they targeted at high-profile police sites, amusement park, Parisian shops in the Champs-Elysee avenue in addition to a metro station and religious sites.

France has sought to extend a state of emergency, imposed after Paris deadly attack in 2015, for more seven months to cover the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections.

--IANS

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