French court to handle synagogue bombing case

France's State Security Court has taken charge of the investigation into the bomb blast outside a Paris synagogue which killed four people and sparked a nationwide uproar. Justice Minister Alain Peyrefitte said he decided to let the security court's prosecutor handle the investigation because its powers were more widespread than those of regular civil authorities. The court, which includes both civilian and military judges, handles espionage cases and instances of terrorism believed serious enough to destabilize the French republic.

The justice minister said the bombing was a "troubling coincidence," coming just a week after a blast set off by suspected neo-Nazis at the Munich Oktoberfest. He also said it might be linked to the August bombing of the Bologna, Italy, rail station.