Skip to main content
02 Nov 2018 | 01:33 AM UTC

France: Over 100 arrested during Halloween-night unrest /update 1

Police arrest over 100 people during Halloween-night unrest during overnight hours of October 31 to November 1

Warning

Event

Police arrested over 100 people in the Paris suburb of Seine-Saint-Denis (Ile-de-France) and Lyon (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes) in Halloween-related unrest during the overnight hours (local time) on October 31-November 1. Local reports depicted groups of masked youths setting fires and looting businesses, while others reportedly threw acid-bombs at police. The Ministry of Interior had deployed an additional 15,000 police personnel across France in anticipation for so-called "purge" attacks on police and business.

Context

The National Police arrested at least two individuals who encouraged attacks on police during a Halloween-night unrest; at least one of the men will face charges of inciting crimes online. Localized instances of unrest took place in large urban areas of France on October 31, 2017, during which groups burned cars and attacked police.

Advice

Individuals in France are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid all demonstrations as a precaution, prepare for traffic disruptions, and adhere to any instructions issued by the local authorities.