In the wake of a series of violent prison attacks across France, including gunfire and arson, law enforcement has arrested 25 suspects in a nationwide operation. Officials link the unrest to gang retaliations against a government crackdown on drug trafficking.
Police Crackdown in France Following Prison Attacks
Police Crackdown in France Following Prison Attacks
Early morning raids lead to 25 arrests as authorities respond to organized criminal violence targeting prison staff.
Early Monday morning, law enforcement agencies carried out a series of coordinated raids across France, resulting in the arrest of 25 individuals connected to a surge of violent assaults on prisons and prison officers' residences. Notable cities targeted in the sweep include Paris, Marseille, Bordeaux, and Lyon, emphasizing the scale of the response to these troubling incidents.
French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin pointed to the potential involvement of criminal gangs retaliating against a recent government initiative aimed at curbing drug trafficking in the country. This wave of violence, which has been labeled by Darmanin as "terrorist attacks," unfolded over five nights earlier this month, involving arson and gunfire targeted at various prison facilities.
Particularly alarming was the shooting incident on April 15 at the gate of La Farlede prison in Toulon, where attackers opened fire with a Kalashnikov assault rifle. Reports indicate that since April 13, there have been at least 65 documented attacks against either prisons or their staff, according to Le Figaro.
A group claiming to advocate for prisoner rights has reportedly taken responsibility for these assaults, sharing their declarations via the Telegram messaging platform. President Emmanuel Macron has vowed that those responsible for these violent acts will face justice.
Leading the investigation, anti-terror prosecutors have confirmed the recent arrests, some of which occurred within prison facilities involving suspected masterminds of the attacks. BFMTV detailed that these individuals are being closely interrogated about their roles in orchestrating the violence.
In response to the raids, Darmanin reiterated the government's commitment to uphold the law while battling drug trafficking, stating, "We remain committed to the law and to the Republic in our relentless fight against drug trafficking." In tandem, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau congratulated investigators on their swift accomplishments, emphasizing the overall professionalism displayed during this urgent operation.
Both ministers announced that legislative bodies are set to vote on proposed legislation this week aimed at establishing a special prosecutor’s office, endowed with enhanced powers for investigators dealing with drug-related offenses as France gears up for tougher measures against organized crime.
