More than 230 people imprisoned in France accused of being behind the weekend riots and looting

The French authorities reported this Friday that they have imprisoned 232 people allegedly responsible for the serious riots and looting that occurred last weekend in Paris and other cities within the framework of the massive student and ‘yellow vest’ demonstrations.

“Justice continues its firm action against the individuals who looted and went on a rampage, with violence, against the forces of order last weekend. To date, 232 individuals have been imprisoned,” reported the French Minister of Justice, Gerald Darmanin, in a message broadcast on social networks.

In total, 1,144 people were arrested and brought to justice after the weekend, added Darmanin, who detailed that there are 263 proceedings opened due to the altercations experienced in the country.

“In the coming weeks, Justice will continue to persecute and judge the people involved in the most serious violence. We are only at the beginning of the work of firmness and manifestation of the truth,” said the French minister, who had words of gratitude to the justice personnel for the “tremendous work” in the service of French citizens.

The French authorities are preparing for a new wave of mobilizations this weekend, despite the fact that among the measures to restore public order, the French president, Emmanuel Macron, announced that all mobilizations by non-union organizations will be prohibited, stressing that the “general recommendation” is that there be no demonstrations in the coming days.

In order to prevent images of violence and looting of establishments from being repeated, the French authorities confirmed this Friday the deployment of 70,000 agents on the streets of the country’s main cities, warning that the security forces will be “inflexible” with vandals.