Violent protests in France, triggered by the police killing of a teenager, continued for a fifth consecutive night, resulting in the arrest of at least 719 individuals overnight. This number represents a decrease from the previous night’s total of over 1,000 arrests, according to Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin.
While the situation in the Paris region appeared relatively calmer, disturbances escalated in Nice and Strasbourg. The city of Marseille witnessed the most severe clashes, prompting law enforcement to employ tear gas to control the unruly crowds.
Disturbingly, rioters targeted the residence of Vincent Jeanbrun, the mayor of the Paris suburb L’Hay-les-Roses, ramming the building and launching rockets towards his wife and young children, as reported by BBC, citing the police.
Mayor Jeanbrun described the incident as a “cowardly and calculated murder attempt.” Interior Minister Darmanin took to Twitter to commend the resolute action of law enforcement, which contributed to a comparatively more peaceful night. To maintain law and order, the government has deployed a significant presence of 45,000 police personnel, including special units, armored vehicles, and helicopters.
The unrest stems from the tragic death of 17-year-old Nahel, who was fatally shot during a routine traffic stop in the Paris suburb of Nanterre on Tuesday morning, as reported by CNN. Meanwhile, the wave of rioting has also spread to Belgium, resulting in dozens of arrests. (Edited)