France: 135 arrested and weapons seized amid deployment of 70,000 police and gendarmes

French police arrested 135 people and seized a variety of weapons on Saturday as part of their deployment to secure demonstrations taking place across the country, amid orders to prevent a resurgence of street violence, according to Interior Minister Laurent Nunez.

Several regions in France witnessed new protests on Saturday against the high cost of living, amid fears that they could be marred by violence and looting similar to those that shook the country during the October 17 demonstrations.

Authorities confirmed the deployment of approximately 70,000 police and gendarmes, an increase of about 20 percent compared to the previous week.

The French anti-terrorism prosecutor’s office announced on Saturday that police investigating the deadly attack that occurred on Friday near Paris had arrested three additional individuals believed to be relatives or friends of the suspect.

Police detained a person from the suspect’s close circle shortly after the incident.

Authorities initially declined to provide further details about these arrests and did not confirm media reports that the 39-year-old suspect’s mother was among those detained.

One person was killed and at least five others, including a 12-year-old girl, were injured when a gunman opened fire from a vehicle at three locations in Trappes, in the Yvelines department.

A suspect was arrested shortly after the shooting.