French anti-crime law criticised

French police have been given extra powers

France's constitutional court has criticised elements of a new law intended to tackle serious crime.

The Constitutional Council condemned the way organised crime was defined and an American-style plea-bargaining system was being introduced.

The passing of the law in February sparked a one-day strike by lawyers.

The main supporter of the law, Justice Minister Dominique Perben, welcomed the ruling saying the main thrust of the legislation had been upheld.

The council said the definition of organised crime should be tightened.

It also objected to closed proceedings in plea-bargaining decisions.

Controversy

Mr Perben said those two points were minor - and had been added to his original bill during parliamentary debate.

The new law includes 400 changes to the country's penal system, designed to combat serious crime.

The legislation doubles to four days the time suspects can be held for questioning, and prevents many suspects from seeing a lawyer for 48 hours.

It also allows police to pay informers, install hidden cameras in suspects' homes, and incite crimes to help investigations.

The law is the latest in a series of anti-crime measures undertaken by France's centre-right government.

Lawyers and human rights groups have condemned the legislation as a threat to civil liberties.