Two sources familiar with the project told Reuters the building is being planned for Putin and his close entourage.

Bastrykin studied law at St. Petersburg University the same year as Putin and is seen as a member of his close entourage.

She has become a bit of a bluff, said a senior Socialist member from Sanchez's close entourage, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Police sources told Reuters the arrests on Saturday concerned the attacker's " close entourage" and were made in two different areas of Nice.

Residents across the city said the broadcaster stopped transmitting at 10.45pm GMT after repeatedly showing images of Gbagbo and his close entourage.