French politicians approve sweeping new spying powers months after Paris terror attacks

The changes granting state sweeping powers to spy on French citizens comes 16 weeks after the three-day Paris siege by Islamic terrorists.

Armed gunmen face police officers near the offices of the French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo in Paris

French politicians overwhelmingly approved a new law on Tuesday granting the state sweeping powers to spy on its citizens despite criticism from rights groups that the bill is vague and intrusive.

The law has been in the works for some time but gained additional support after a jihadist killing spree - including the attack on the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo's offices - in January that left 17 dead and saw the capital gripped with fear for three days.

France is still on high alert as it has received repeated threats from jihadist groups abroad and was reminded of the peril of homegrown extremism when police thwarted a planned attack on a church two weeks ago.

The bill was passed by 438 votes to 86 in the lower house National Assembly, with broad support from both main parties. Only the far-Left and greens were strongly opposed.

It will go before the upper house senate later this month.

Amnesty International has also protested against the legislation, warning it will take France "a step closer to a surveillance state".
"This bill is too vague, too far-reaching and leaves too many unanswered questions. Parliament should ensure that measures meant to protect people from terror should not violate their basic rights," said Gauri van Gulik, Amnesty's Europe director.