France: 40,000 police mobilised to stop fresh violence

Written by David Fletcher 29 Jun 2023
France: 40,000 police mobilised to stop fresh violence

France is mobilising a police force of 40,000 across the country, including 5,000 in Paris, to stem riots triggered by the killing of Nahel, a 17-year-old teenager, by a police officer at a traffic stop. The officer was placed under formal investigation for voluntary homicide on 29 June. The announcement came as Paris witnessed a second night of violent protests, with rioters setting cars and public buildings ablaze over the shooting of Nahel during a traffic stop. Police arrested 150 people overnight. Clashes first erupted on 27 June in Nanterre, a town with long-simmering tensions between locals and officials. The government initially deployed 2,000 police to maintain law and order. ‘The last few hours have been marked by scenes of violence against police stations, schools and town halls, and thus institutions of the Republic and these scenes are wholly unjustifiable’, said President Macron.

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