Nine suspected militants from the banned radical Islamist group Forsane Alizza, are being held in a detention centre following raids in major French cities on March 30th by French Police.

It is believed the group led by Mohamed Achamlane, seemed to be preparing "acts of violence" against a leading Lyon judge who was earmarked as a kidnap target.

Speaking at a press conference Paris Prosecutor Francois Molins said the members of the group were prepared to carry out violent acts.

"Mohamed Achamlane seemed to have gathered a certain number of individuals around him, who, over several months, indulged in physical training and received religious indoctrination to prepare to commit acts of violence on French soil."

He also added that these arrests had nothing to do with the gunman Mohamed Merah, a Frenchman of Algerian descent who went on a 10-day rampage killing seven people.

Following France's commitment to clamping down on radical elements after the racist murders that shocked the world, five Islamic militants and Muslim preachers are due to be deported.