France keeps curfews in Paris and Lyon "as long as necessary" after riots; 2,400 arrested, parliament opens inquiry

Fresh night-time curfews were imposed in the centres of Paris and Lyon on Tuesday, 20 October, after the first quiet night since France’s most destructive rioting in years, the Associated Press reported. Paris police said the curfew in two zones, around Place de la République and the Les Halles shopping district, had restored “public peace” and would stay “for as long as necessary”. Lyon renewed its 9 p.m.-6 a.m. city-centre curfew, and Marseille introduced a curfew for unaccompanied minors.

Arrests and courts

At least 2,400 people have been arrested since protests against the rising cost of living and poor conditions in schools turned into arson, looting and clashes on Saturday, 17 October. Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin said 149 people had been jailed by Tuesday noon and more than 800 sent before prosecutors, and promised an “extremely firm” response. A suspect was arrested over the arson attack that badly damaged the historic City Hall in Limoges. French officials blame far-left groups and opportunistic looters for the violence.

Saturday and the inquiry

Student unions and “yellow vest” groups have called new demonstrations for Saturday. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu told the National Assembly the security deployment would be “massive”, and soldiers of Operation Sentinelle will guard sensitive sites to free police for crowd control. National Assembly president Yaël Braun-Pivet said the chamber is launching an inquiry into the violence and policing strategy, with findings due by the end of the year; the Senate’s law committee has announced its own inquiry into the events of 17-18 October.