France Detains More Than 2,500 After Protests Turn Violent

Moscow (ANTARA) — More than 2,500 people were detained and taken to police stations in France after riots broke out during demonstrations over the weekend, French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said on Monday (19 October).

“Currently, 2,513 people have been detained,” Nunez told French television station TF1.

More than 500 of those detained will face trial in the coming days, he added.

Nunez also said that 67 people had been imprisoned. However, he did not clarify whether this referred to pre-trial detention or prison sentences handed down after court rulings.

Large-scale protests prompted by rising living costs and declining education standards escalated into clashes with police in France on Saturday (17 October.

In the city of Limoges, rioters set fire to the historic town hall. Government buildings in Marseille and other cities were also targeted.

Looters ransacked shops, smashed display windows and made off with merchandise, including goods from luxury-brand boutiques, particularly in Paris and Marseille.

More than 2,000 people were detained on Sunday (18 October).

The French Interior Ministry estimated that a total of 550,000 people took part in the demonstrations, including 110,000 in Paris.