French President Nicolas Sarkozy and three top government ministers have received anonymous death threats in envelopes stuffed with .38 calibre bullets.

The letters were sent to Sarkozy, Justice Minister Rachida Dati, Interior Minister Michele Alliot-Marie and Culture Minister Christine Albanel.

The letters were addressed to "purveyors of freedom-killing and fascist laws." The message also referred to a group named "Cell 34" and mentioned 1,000 combatants.

French police arrested a 47-year old computer expert and military reservist at his home in the city of Montpellier. The authorities say they don't have any confirmation as yet that the arrested man was the sender of the letters. They are looking at others also.

Although the motivations of the sender haven't been established, in referring to "freedom killing and fascist laws" he or she appears to be protesting the loss of freedoms in France as a result of some of the restrictive measures Sarkozy has put in place.

There has been heightened concern in France about the police database Edvige - link here - and the extraordinary threat to individual liberties it poses. It will store details such as personal opinions, information about an individual's social circle - even sexual preferences.

Edvige will also track people involved in politics or trade unions. Those who have a significant role in business, media, entertainment or social and religious institutions will also come in for scrutiny.

Those listed will have a limited right to consult their files.

Michel Pezet, a former member of the National Commission on Information Technology and Freedom (CNIL) has described the database as 'an electronic Bastille'.