BRAZZAVILLE, Congo (PANA)—Three Europeans have been arrested in the Republic of Congo on allegations of planning to kill President Denis Sassou Nguesso before June 4.

The Congolese Interior Minister, Gen. Pierre Oba, told journalists in Brazzaville June 3 that the three Europeans were arrested as the possible assassins by the country’s security services two months ago.

Gen. Oba said that Sarda Richard Marice, 37, a French freelance security agent based in Switzerland, Gerard Lastric Darton, 34, a Croatian economist living in Zaghreb, and Fabis Vanoti, a 39-year-old Italian freelance security agent based in Switzerland, had confessed to the plot.

He added that the results of the security services’ investigations would be submitted to court so that legal proceedings can be opened against the suspects.

Meanwhile, the government minister said that at least 30 other foreigners without valid visas have been deported in the past two months from Pointe-Noire, Congo’s economic town.

Gen. Oba said the foreigners, employed by oil companies in the country, were also involved in the plot, although their involvement was unknown to security officers at the time of deportation.

According to Gen. Oba, the plan to assassinate Mr. Nguesso was hatched during a meeting in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, attended by former President Pascal Lissouba and officials who served under his ousted government.

Mr. Nguesso regained power after his militia, backed by Angolan troops, defeated Congolese government forces under Mr. Lissouba at the end of a five-month civil war two years ago.