Senior officers detained as France probes police leaks

·         © AFP / The headquarters of French police's criminal investigation unit in Paris, known as the 36 quai des Orfèvres

Latest update : 2015-02-04

Top-level police and former officers have been arrested in France as part of an investigation into leaks, government officials said Wednesday.

Stéphane Le Foll, the government spokesman, confirmed arrests of “high-level police” after Europe 1 radio reported that Bernard Petit, the head of the Paris judicial police, was among several current and former officers being questioned.

Europe 1 said Petit is under investigation over leaks to a suspect in an ongoing probe. It is illegal under French law to release names or other details while a case is under investigation -- a process that can take months or even years.

Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve called for an end to leaks of information while investigations continue, denouncing what he called the “little game'' of communicating about ongoing inquiries.

The rule is routinely violated by officials who provide information to journalists.

(FRANCE 24 with AP)