France arrests over Charlie Hebdo and kosher shop attacks Published duration 26 April 2017

image copyright AP image caption Coulibaly demanded the Kouachi brothers who had just attacked the Charlie Hebdo offices be freed in exchange for the hostages he was holding at the kosher supermarket

French police have made 10 arrests in connection to the attacks on the Charlie Hebdo offices and a kosher supermarket in Paris in January 2015.

Those held are suspected of supplying arms to Amedy Coulibaly, said French broadcaster BFMTV.

He killed four people he took hostage inside the supermarket and separately a policewoman.

Police have linked Coulibaly, who died in a shootout with police, with the attacks on the Charlie Hebdo offices in the days prior.

He is said to have demanded the release of the Kouachi brothers who carried out the attack on the satirical magazine's offices.

The arrests were carried out in France and Belgium from Monday to Wednesday, sources in the police investigation said.

One of those under suspicion is Claude Hermant, an arms dealer with links to a far-right paramilitary group.

According to BFMTV, Hermant and his wife are accused of buying four Tokarev pistols and two Kalashnikov rifles which were later found in Coulibaly's possession.

Hermant is currently serving a prison term for a separate arms trafficking offence.

In total 17 people were killed in the successive attacks from 7-9 January 2015.

The attacks prompted thousands to attend vigils and gatherings in France and around the world, spawning the #JeSuisCharlie hashtag - perhaps the fastest spreading solidarity hashtag in history.