Police forces take part in a mock suicide attack exercise as part of security measures for the upcoming Euro 2016 football championship, at the fan zone in Lyon, central-eastern France, on June 7, 2016. (AFP)
German federal police say their officers being sent to France to help with security during the upcoming Euro 2016 football tournament will be able to carry their firearms.
Federal Police spokeswoman Nicole Bellinghausen on Wednesday confirmed a report in Bild newspaper that in addition to their sidearms, the German police will also be able to carry pepper spray and other such weapons, but said it was not unusual for them to be armed while helping outside Germany.
She would not say how many German police would be sent to France for the monthlong tournament for tactical reasons, but said they would be deployed in several locations primarily to help deal with German-speaking fans.
She says they'll aid French police at the border, on rail lines and other ''selected French locations.''
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