France opens attempted murder probe after Molotov attack on police

Summarised from 3 outlets · 4 reports · Updated 1 Nov, 15:10 · Archive

Paris prosecutors opened an attempted murder investigation after a Molotov cocktail was thrown at police during a demonstration.

Paris prosecutors opened an attempted murder investigation Sunday after a Molotov cocktail was thrown at security forces during a demonstration in the French capital. The attack took place at Porte de Charenton, where Saturday's march ended. Photographs showed an incendiary device exploding at a gendarme's feet and setting his protective equipment alight. Prosecutors said about 15 gendarmes and police officers were targeted. Reported injuries included second-degree burns and tinnitus, although those details remained provisional. No suspects have been arrested over the attack.

The demonstrations focused on high living costs and government policies. The Interior Ministry reported 779 arrests nationwide during the protests and Halloween night combined. In Paris, prosecutors separately reported 105 arrests: 88 linked to the demonstrations and 17 to Halloween night. They said 89 people remained in custody, including at least 22 minors. The nationwide arrest total was below the 1,314 recorded during the previous Saturday's mobilisation and the 2,628 on 17 October, when widespread rioting and looting broke out.

The Interior Ministry put nationwide turnout at 320,000, while unions estimated nearly 500,000 participants. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez described the Molotov attack as an attempted murder. Authorities had increased security ahead of Halloween amid online calls for violence.

How it is being reported

• Attempted murder probe after petrol bomb thrown at French riot policeYouth-led protests end with street violence in cities across France, Germany, Switzerland, Portugal and Albania French officials have opened an investigation into the attempted murder of a police officer and Germany’s interior minister has called for harsh penalties after peaceful and mainly youth-led protests across Europe ended in violence. In Portugal, police – some with dogs – cleared protest camps with baton charges, while security forces in Switzerland were attacked with paving stones. Continue reading...Guardian World · 1 Nov, 16:24
• Police catch on fire as rioters aim fireworks at themRiot police clashed with rioters in Paris on October 31st, as projectiles, fireworks and molotov cocktails were thrown at officers.New York Post · 1 Nov, 14:59
• 70K people reported in Paris as police shield themselves from flying molotov cocktailsViolent clashes erupted across France on October 31st, with rioters throwing what appeared to be Molotov cocktails at Paris police which injured several officers while in Lyon US and Israeli flags were set on fire.New York Post · 1 Nov, 14:50
• France opens attempted murder probe after protest attackParis prosecutors have opened an attempted murder investigation after a Molotov attack on police. France reported 779 arrests during nationwide protests and Halloween night, fewer than on previous weekends.DW News · 1 Nov, 14:50

In this story: Paris · France · Laurent Nunez · Porte de Charenton

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