French President Emmanuel Macron promised “fundamental answers” after days of unrest in the country following the death of a youth during a police check.
Meeting with 241 mayors of the cities particularly affected by the riots, Macron said on Tuesday that it was not about repeating things that had been practiced for decades, broadcaster BFMTV reported.
Rather, what is needed is an “answer to the pinnacle of what we have been through”. During the meeting, Macron wanted to offer help in repairing damaged city halls and other public facilities in addition to moral support.
The riots have reached their peak, Macron said, although caution is still needed in the coming days and weeks. “It is the standing order that we must treat as a top priority.” 72 people were arrested in renewed unrest on Tuesday evening. Police officers were not injured, the Interior Ministry said. The unrest that has been going on for a week has thus further subsided. Major incidents were not reported.
About 5,900 cars have now been set on fire across the country during the riots, the BFMTV broadcaster reported on Tuesday, citing the Interior Ministry. There were fires or property damage in 1,100 buildings. In addition, about 270 police stations were attacked.
A fateful shot
Since the death of 17-year-old Nahel by a police bullet during a traffic control last Tuesday, France has been rocked by violent riots. There was repeated looting, arson and violent clashes between police officers and rioters. The officer who shot the boy is suspected of manslaughter.
There were three teenagers in the car that was stopped by the police. The newspaper “Le Parisien” published descriptions of what happened from the perspective of a 14-year-old sitting in the backseat on Monday evening, which his father sent to the newspaper in writing.
Nahel met the boy by chance in the morning and offered to drive him to a school exam. The boy reported that the 17-year-old did not comply with an initial police request to stop.
When traffic stopped, police overtook the car and turned their guns on the 17-year-old. One of them threatened to shoot him in the head. Panicking, Nahel may have slipped his foot off the automatic car’s brake, causing it to move.
One officer asked the other to shoot. “He’s crazy, he shot,” Nahel said before collapsing lifelessly and driving the car into a guardrail. (sda/dpa)
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
