(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) PARIS, April 18 (KUNA) -- A machine pistol and two hand guns, in addition to explosive materials and bomb-making equipment, were found in the Marseille apartment where two terrorist suspects were arrested earlier in the day, Paris Prosecutor Francois Molins said in a news conference.
Molins said there was no doubt about the evil and violent intentions of the two men, both French-born but who had become radicalised in prison in northern France.
But he stressed that police were unable, at this stage, to determine the target of the planned terror attack or its timing, although he said an attack was "imminent" and would have been "very violent." Molins said that an "Uzi" submachine gun, with multiple rounds of ammunition was found during the police raid and a 7.62mm semi-automatic pistol and a Mauser pistol were also discovered.
More worrying for French security services, three kilograms of explosive material, with fuses and detonating capability were also found, as were artisanal bomb-making materials including acetone and steel bolts.
Molins said that the two individuals now in custody had been tracked on trips to Germany and Belgium and also when they moved to Marseille last week.
At least one of the men had tried to go to Syria to fight with extremists Islamists there.
The Prosecutor also said that surveillance had shown contacts between the men and Chechen radical group members present in France.
Computers and other equipment seized in the apartment revealed the suspects had made a video pledging allegiance to so-called Islamic State - a video previously intercepted by French security services when sent last month.
Both men were on the "S" security surveillance list for French intelligence services and both had criminal records for a variety of petty and serious crimes, including drug trafficking, hold-ups and violence. (pickup previous) jk.hb
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