French authorities continue to tighten security in some cities
3 Min Read
Amid continued unrest in the country, French authorities are tightening security in some cities and suspending public transportation.
-
Security forces arrested 150 people after protests against the police in Nanterre, June 29, 2023. (AFP)
Authorities in several major French towns, including Strasbourg, Marseille, and Lyon, have tightened security measures in the wake of the fatal shooting of a teenager by a police officer earlier this week.
The Bas-Rhin department, in which Strasbourg is located, has announced the suspension of public transportation in the city.
They also extended the prohibition on retail sales and transportation of pyrotechnics, acids, chemicals, explosives, and combustible substances until Monday, as well as the possession and transit of weapons or things that may potentially be used as weapons.
This has exposed the deeply-rooted divisions engulfing the #European country. pic.twitter.com/wZVDIvdcQq
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) June 30, 2023
According to authorities in the Bouches-du-Rhone region, public transportation in Marseille will be suspended after 16:00 GMT, and demonstrations will be restricted until Sunday morning. Furthermore, due to the danger of violence, city officials asked people not to take out the trash on Saturday night.
Sytral, which manages public transportation in Lyon, said that bus and tram service would be suspended after 17:00 GMT. Several events have also been canceled by the city administration.
Many Twitter users in France report having difficulty accessing the platform. Media outlets' Twitter accounts, such as Mediavenir and Cerfia, also reported issues with the social network.
On the same day, French Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti stated that French prosecutors should request the IP addresses of young people calling for riots on the Snapchat app from internet service providers.
"On social media today, you can read 'careful, they are going to hack our accounts'. And it's true. Let the children clearly understand that we are going to hack their accounts. The judicial authority can, upon request, require operators to provide IP addresses," the minister said.
Read next: 1000 protestors arrested overnight in France: Reports
Nahel M. was shot dead in Nanterre on Tuesday after failing to comply with police commands during a traffic check. The officer who shot the teen has been charged with voluntary manslaughter and is in custody. The tragic police shooting provoked nationwide riots.
Violent protests have continued all week, with injuries and detentions reported daily. According to French media, quoting the interior ministry, 1,311 people were held throughout the previous night, including 406 in greater Paris. According to accounts, 1,350 vehicles and 234 buildings were also set on fire.
