The French government has launched a "massive and unprecedented" wave of measures to combat what it calls religious "extremism", Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin has said, adding that 76 mosques are suspected of "separatism".
Darmanin on Thursday tweeted his interview with RTL radio, writing: "In the coming days, checks will be carried out on these places of worship. If ever these doubts are confirmed, I will ask for their closure."
He also said 66 undocumented migrants suspected of "radicalisation" had been deported.
President Emmanuel Macron's government has responded to several deadly attacks in recent weeks with a promise to crack down on what Darmanin has said is "the enemy within".
France is home to the largest Muslim minority population in Europe, and some fear being collectively punished after a series of attacks in recent months.
France has also closed two organisations – the Muslim charity BarakaCity and a civil rights group which monitors hate crimes – the Collective Against Islamophobia in France (CCIF); both have refuted the government's accusations that they harboured "radical" links.
France: 76 mosques face closure, 66 migrants deported
As part of gov’t crackdown on ‘separatism’, mosques to be inspected as dozens suspected of ‘radicalisation’ deported.
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