French police on Thursday detained six members of the Chechen community on suspicion of taking part in successive nights of violence that rocked the eastern city of Dijon, prosecutors said, reports FRANCE 24.
From Friday to Monday, Dijon was rocked by clashes and vehicle burnings after an assault this month on a 16-year-old Chechen boy that prompted other members of the community to stage reprisal raids.
Scenes of unrest carried out by hooded men brandishing guns or clubs shocked the country and raised questions over whether security forces had been too passive.
Police carried out early morning raids at several addresses across France, regional prosecutor Eric Mathais said.
A source close to the inquiry, asking not to be named, said the arrests were made at five locations across France, including Dijon.
Those detained are already known to police and include a man suspected of being behind the first appeal on social networks for organised reprisals, sources said.