Man dies in France's protests; 45,000 police to deploy at night
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This comes as French media reported that an arms depot of handguns on Rue Dupin, Marseille, was burglarized.
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Riot police face off protesters on the third 3rd night of protests sparked by the fatal police killing of Nahel M. in the Paris suburb of Nanterre, France, Thursday, June 29, 2023. (AP)
In the course of night demonstrations brought on by the police shooting of a teenager, a young man died on Friday after falling from the roof of a store in northwest France, according to the police.
The man, aged around 20, broke through the supermarket's roof despite the fact that no looting was reported during the riots that occurred overnight on Thursday and Friday, they said.
Meanwhile, as protests intensify and expand, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin announced that France is increasing its police force to 45,000 officers nationally in preparation for what is anticipated to be the fourth consecutive night of violent protests.
Comparatively, 40,000 people were mobilized the day before as the outrage over the Tuesday police shooting death of a teenager during a traffic check showed no signs of abating.
Earlier today, Al Mayadeen correspondent in Paris said the French authorities announced that bus and tram services will be suspended in Paris starting at 9 pm, and they have embarked on proactive measures two days prior to the rally in the Champs-Elysées.
Protests and confrontations broke out in the French city of Lyon this evening, and the police are using tear gas, he added.
It is important to note that multiple police officers have been injured during clashes in Lyon as dozens of protesters were arrested.
On his part, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the leader of La France Insoumise, called for avoiding schools, clubs, and libraries, as violence and arson break out in downtown Marseille, southern France, according to Al Mayadeen correspondent.
🔴 POUR UN PLAN D’URGENCE « JUSTICE PARTOUT »
— Jean-Luc Mélenchon (@JLMelenchon) June 30, 2023
Retrouvez mon intervention sur l'actualité.
➡️ https://t.co/G9xGZzF6gF pic.twitter.com/Xqq6cMD3fM
Particularly in Marseille, reported Al Mayadeen correspondent, that riots became more aggressive and journalists fled the area for fear of violence. It was also reported that an arms depot in Rue Dupin, Marseille, has been looted. The depot reportedly contained a large number of handguns.
French security forces overnight Thursday to Friday arrested 667 people in the third consecutive night of violence, the Interior Minister declared.
On Thursday, the police officer responsible for the shooting was accused and held in jail pending trial, according to prosecutors. According to regional prosecutors, the investigating magistrate accused the officer of voluntary murder and placed him on temporary arrest following the event.
Nahel was shot in the chest at point-blank range on Tuesday in the western region of Paris after he was pulled over for allegedly breaking traffic rules in a yellow Mercedes. His mother called for a march on Thursday in tribute to her only child.
Thousands rallied in Nanterre with the mother of Nahel on Thursday in a march to honor him. "No justice, no peace!", the crowds yelled, adding, "Everyone hates the police."
Moreover, it was reported that there have been rising fears that riots and confrontations might expand toward other Paris neighborhoods, coinciding with the funeral of the victim, Nahel, tomorrow.
Tonight, French police are on alert near Nanterre, in anticipation of night riots, Al Mayadeen correspondent noted.
Geneva public transport stops at French border
After the protests caused by the deadly police shooting, Geneva's cross-border public trams and buses were not operating across the Swiss border into France on Friday evening.
In preparation for a fourth night of protests over the death of a teenager during a traffic check, France has stopped all bus and tram services nationwide at 9:00 pm (1900 GMT).
In the east of Switzerland, France borders the second-largest city on three sides. On the other side of the border, dormitory towns are served by several of its public transportation lines.
The decision was made in response to the French restrictions, according to a statement on the website of Geneva public transportation provider TPG.
"We recommend that our customers who travel by public transport on cross-border lines plan their trips and consult the traffic information on our site and our apps."
While three cross-border routes were all stopped, several lines were pausing at the border.
Cross-border commuters are important to Geneva's economy. Approximately 107,000 people reside on the French side of the border, where living expenses are significantly lower, yet work in Geneva.
The Swiss city is only 5.5 kilometers from the French border in any direction.
Tensions and protests in France
Tensions have been rising with protesters and police officers clashing in several areas.
An anonymous police source confirmed that nearly 6,200 people participated in the protests, during which signs like "Police kill," and "Our lives are in danger" were held up by protesters.
Concurrently, Macron called for an early morning crisis meeting of his ministers and urged calm. He branded the overnight clashes "unjustifiable" and told the meeting the "last few hours have been marked by scenes of violence against police stations, but also schools and town halls... against institutions and the Republic."
However, far-right leader Marine Le Pen claimed that the police officer involved was entitled to the "presumption of innocence."
