Vandals hit 2 more French cemeteries, overturn crucifixes

PARIS (AP) -- Dozens of gravesites have been vandalized in a two small-town graveyards in France, a discovery that came the same day five teens faced preliminary charges in massive destruction at a Jewish cemetery in eastern France.

France's Interior Ministry said crucifixes were overturned and gravesites disturbed in Tracy-sur-Mer, a tiny town next to the D-Day landing beaches, and in Saint-Beat, in southwest France. Swastikas were found in two other widely separated towns, the ministry said Wednesday.

The discoveries came after 250 Jewish graves were desecrated last weekend in the eastern French town of Sarre-Union.

Five local teens faced preliminary charges in the Sarre-Union vandalism. The prosecutor, Philippe Vannier, said the "anti-Semitic motive" was clear and that they all admitted participation.

There have been no arrests in the other cases.