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Five Chechens Arrested In France


Five ethnic Chechens from Russia have been arrested in southern France on suspicion of preparing an attack.

France has been on high alert since three days of terror left 17 people dead in Paris earlier this month.

Robert Menard, the mayor of the southern town of Beziers confirmed the five arrests January 20 in Beziers and on the outskirts of Montpellier.

Local media said an explosives cache was found in Beziers near a stadium.

Meanwhile, four men suspected of providing logistical support to Amedy Coulibaly, one of the terrorists killed by police earlier this month, appeared in court in Paris on January 20.

A prosecutor requested the men be detained longer on weapons and terrorism charges.

Coulibaly shot a policewoman to death on the outskirts of Paris and then killed four hostages inside a kosher supermarket before being shot dead by police.

Based on reporting by Reuters, AP, and AFP

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