French serviceman arrested over mosque attack plotAugust 12, 2013 - 11:42 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A French military serviceman has been arrested for allegedly planning an attack on a mosque, the interior ministry has said, according to BBC News. The 23-year-old man was stationed at an air base near Lyon. The ministry said the serviceman had carried out an earlier mosque attack and had views described as "close to the extreme right". Extremist groups have become more active in France. The ministry said their actions would not be tolerated. The ministry confirmed the man had been held near Lyon but did not say when the arrest took place.A statement said the suspect had been questioned by the domestic intelligence agency, the DCRI, and indicted for possessing weapons with intent to carry out a terrorist act and for intent to desecrate a shrine through a terrorist act. A judicial source told AFP the suspect planned a gun attack on the mosque in the Venissieux suburb of Lyon to coincide with the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. The statement quoted Interior Minister Manuel Valls as reiterating a determination "to fight against all forms of violence inspired by the most extremist ideologies that affect the values of the Republic" whose intent was to "spread a climate of hate". "No tolerance shall be permitted," the minister was quoted as saying. The serviceman was said to have attacked a mosque in the Bordeaux region last year, although little damage was caused. The government is facing an increase in far-right militant activity. Last month it banned three far-right groups - the Third Way, the Revolutionary Nationalist Youth and the Desire to Dream association. They were allegedly linked to the death of left-wing activist Clement Meric, 18, who died after being beaten in a busy shopping area in Paris. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Iran’s Red Crescent sends aid to Armenia’s flood-hit regions The Iranian Red Crescent Society has sent humanitarian aid to the victims of deadly floods that hit northern Armenia on May 25-26. Putin congratulates Pashinyan’s birthday Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his birthday on June 1. Opposition motorcade en route to Gyumri for large rally A motorcade of protesters headed by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan is heading to the city of Gyumri. Ruling MPs, Foreign Minister talk Armenia-Azerbaijan processes MOs from the ruling Civil Contract party met with the Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan in the Armenian parliament. |