Protests in France: At least 719 arrested for the riots on a “calmer” night

At least 719 people were arrested and 45 police officers were injured in the fifth consecutive night of riots in France for the death of a teenager at the hands of a police officer, although according to the French government it was one night “quieter” than the previous ones.

“Calmer night thanks to resolute action by law enforcement, who have made 427 arrests since the start of the evening”, the French Interior Minister had pointed out, Gerald Darmaninthrough his Twitter account at 03:00 (01:00 GMT).

LOOK HERE: Who was Nahel M, the 17-year-old whose death by police shot sparked a wave of protests in France

Five hours later, the diagnosis of fewer incidents was confirmed by his portfolio by updating the total arrests for the night to 719, while the previous day at the same time Interior had reported 994 (subsequently raised to 1,311). .

Protesters flee from a fireworks explosion on a street in Nice, southeastern France, early on July 2, 2023. (Photo by Valery HACHE / AFP) (VALERY HACHE /)

The outcome of the altercations also includes 871 fires on public roads and damage to 74 buildings, figures that represent less than half of the previous day.

To try to maintain order, the Government had decided to maintain the extensive police force of 45,000 agents deployed on the streets, with a special presence in places like Marseilles and lyonswho had asked for reinforcements in view of the virulence of the altercations that they had suffered the previous night.

???????? | UPDATE: More than 300 arrested on the fifth night of incidents in France.

The Ministry of the Interior confirmed that, by 02:00 am this Sunday, the balance of detainees nationwide was 322 people. Of them, at least 65 were in… pic.twitter.com/wqQHt2N63X

– Latest News (@UltimaHoraNo) July 2, 2023

Also in those cities the night was calmer, although scenes of tension were still seen. Likewise, in Paris, a large police contingent had to intervene to abort incidents on the avenue des Elysian Fields shortly before midnight.

Officers patrol as protesters fill the street in the Champs Elysees area of ​​Paris on July 1, 2023. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / AFP) (LUDOVIC MARIN /)

The trigger for this wave of altercations was the death of a 17-year-old young man of Arab descent named Nahelwho was fatally shot by a police officer while trying to flee a police checkpoint in Nanterreon the periphery of Parison June 27.

MORE INFORMATION: France: 875 arrested, 249 police officers injured, 2,000 vehicles burned and 3,880 fires on the third day of protests

The images of the incident, recorded by witnesses, sparked strong indignation in the country, which degenerated into riots, especially in the popular neighborhoods of large cities and in the metropolitan area of ​​Paris.

The young man’s burial was held this Saturday in Nanterre in privacy, at the request of the family, who wanted a day of “discretion” and “recollection”.

Source: Elcomercio