Court sentences 25 over planned attacks in France

PARIS, June 14 (Reuters) A French court convicted 25 Islamist militants today for planning attacks in France, possibly using chemical weapons, as part of a campaign to support Chechen rebels.

One witness said the targets had included the Eiffel Tower, as well as shops and police stations in central Paris.

The four ringleaders received terms of between nine and 10 years in prison, while the other 21 defendants were jailed for up to eight years, including some suspended sentences.

The plot came to light in late 2002 when police raided a flat near Paris used by three Algerian men and a Moroccan and found electronic parts used in detonators and chemicals that can be used in explosives.

They also found a chemical protection suit, a large sum of cash and false identity papers.

The Interior Ministry said at the time that there was no doubt ''one or several terrorist attacks were being planned in the relatively short-term''.

The court convicted the defendants of criminal association in relation with a terrorist enterprise.

Menad Benchellali, accused of having participated in paramilitary training camps in Georgia, and Merouane Benhamed, described as the group's head, were handed 10-year sentences.

Nourredine Merabet and Said Arif, who was extradited from Syria to stand trial, were sentenced to nine years.

REUTERS CH HT1942