Nearly 1,000 people were arrested in France in renewed nighttime riots. 79 police officers were injured. In the fourth night after the death of a 17-year-old in a police check, a total of 994 arrests were recorded.
The ministry said the violence was less intense than the previous night thanks to the mobilization of security forces across the country. To maintain order on Saturday night, authorities imposed restrictions on public life and local transport and deployed a massive police force of around 45,000 police officers. On Friday evening, about 900 people were arrested and about 150 police officers were injured.
The cause of the riots was the death of a 17-year-old during a police check on Tuesday. In Nanterre near Paris, a motorcycle patrol stopped 17-year-old Nahel, who was driving a car. When the young man suddenly drove away, the police officer fired a fatal shot from his service weapon. The incident sparked national outrage and sparked violent riots across France. The police officer believed responsible for Nahel’s death is in custody and under investigation for manslaughter.
Macron appeals to parents of young protesters
Despite the massive police presence and the officially imposed restrictions on public life, riots broke out again across France on Saturday night. Demonstrations and events were banned in major cities such as Lyon, Marseille and Strasbourg, broadcaster franceinfo reports. There was looting, property damage and violent confrontations. According to reports, particularly fierce clashes took place in Marseille and Lyon. According to French President Emmanuel Macron, the majority of those arrested are young, “sometimes very young”. He calls on parents to take their responsibility.
Supermarket looted
In Marseille, a supermarket was looted after an arson attack. In French Guiana’s capital, Cayenne, a man was killed Friday night by a ricochet linked to the unrest, local authorities said. According to reports, the victim was a local government employee. Violence also broke out in Martinique, a Caribbean overseas territory, on Friday evening. Some 20 to 30 masked people threw stones at police officers in the capital Fort-de-France, and rubbish bins were set on fire in several places.
Young people also gathered in Brussels in response to the death of the 17-year-old. According to a police spokeswoman, they met in different places after a call on social networks. About 50 people have now been preventively arrested. On Thursday evening there were already clashes between young people and law enforcement in the Belgian capital.
Video: looting and violence in France
French football star Kylian Mbappé expressed his dismay at the 17-year-old’s death and warned of violence. In a statement released Friday evening along with other internationals, he said they understood the public’s displeasure following this tragic event, but did not condone the form of violence. Violence is not a solution. He called for an end to the violence and the beginning of a period of mourning, dialogue and reconstruction.
Source: Krone
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