In the French port city of Marseille, a man may have died as a result of being hit by a rubber bullet fired by the police. President Macron is considering restricting social media due to the unrest.
During the night of protests in Marseille over the weekend, a young man potentially died from a police gunshot with a rubber bullet. The 27-year-old presumably died as a result of a “violent blow to the chest” caused by a “projectile of the rubber bullet type,” said the prosecutor’s office of the southern French port city of Marseille to the news agency AFP.
According to initial findings, the impact of the projectile led to cardiac arrest. At the time, the area was shaken by “riots and looting,” the prosecutor’s office further explained. However, it is unclear whether the man participated in them.
The prosecutor’s office has launched an investigation into the circumstances, with the criminal police and the police oversight authority being involved.
16 Arrests during the Night of Wednesday
The unrest has been gradually decreasing since the weekend. According to the Ministry of the Interior, there were 16 arrests nationwide during the night of Wednesday. According to the newspaper “Le Parisien,” citing additional information from the ministry, 78 cars were set on fire nationwide, and fires were started in eight buildings. Police stations were spared from attacks by rioters.
Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron is considering blocking social media as a measure against further unrest. He stated that one must consider the use of social networks by protesting young people and possible prohibitions during a meeting with mayors in Paris on Tuesday, as reported by the broadcaster BFMTV. “Because if it becomes an instrument for gatherings or an attempt to kill, it becomes a real issue,” Macron said.
Previously, on Friday, the President also held social media responsible for the escalation of violence during protests against police brutality. Violent assemblies were organized there.
Police presence to be maintained
Macron announced that the massive police presence should be maintained initially as a deterrent. If this is not sufficient, security forces should take an “offensive” approach.
Macron also wants to enable rapid aid for cities with burned schools and damages to public infrastructure through fast-track procedures. The summer sales period has been extended by one week, allowing retailers to make up for lost sales during the riots.
Border controls against fireworks import from Belgium
Meanwhile, controls at the border with Belgium in northern France have been reinforced to prevent the importation of fireworks, as reported by the newspaper “Le Parisien” on Tuesday evening, citing the prefecture. The aim is to prevent the rioters from replenishing their supply of fireworks.
People with pyrotechnics have already been stopped on both sides of the border. The prefecture in northern France has ordered a ban on the sale and carrying of fireworks, as well as gasoline stored in containers, until mid-July.
Since the death of 17-year-old Nahel from a police gunshot during a traffic stop last Tuesday, France has been shaken by severe riots.
There have been repeated incidents of looting, arson, and violent clashes between police officers and rioters. Besides Paris, Marseille has experienced particularly intense disturbances. Nationwide, approximately 1,100 buildings, including many town halls, and more than 200 police stations were damaged.
The officer who fired the shot at the teenager is being investigated for manslaughter.