Thwarted French jihadist brought up on terror charges

An Algerian jihadist sympathiser arrested in connection with a thwarted attack on a church in France was charged with terror-related murder Friday after five days of police questioning.

Sid Ahmed Ghlam, 24, was taken into custody yesterday after he accidentally shot himself in the leg, a fluke occurrence that led to police uncovering an alleged plot to attack at least one church in the town of Villejuif, just south of Paris.

Ghlam, who remains in a Paris hospital recovering from the gunshot wound, was charged with "murder and attempted murder in connection with a terrorist enterprise" and criminal conspiracy, a source close to the case told AFP.

A magistrate placed him in custody on Friday night.

Police say they found an arsenal of weapons, tactical gear and cellphones in Ghlam's car and student flat, but one of the suspect's lawyers said Friday he denies "vigorously all the accusations against him."

Investigator say they uncovered detailed plans to attack churches and linked Ghlam's DNA to the murder of a young mother in Villejuif who was found shot dead in the passenger seat of her car yesterday.

Security sources said the killing may have resulted from an attempt to steal the vehicle of the victim, 32-year-old Aurelie Chatelain.