France's interior minister suspends police use of stun grenades in protests
In short
French Interior Minister Laurent Nunes ordered police to suspend the use of stun grenades during protests, saying the measure applies to student protests until the circumstances of a specific case are clarified. The order followed an incident in Lens on Monday in which a 15-year-old lycée student lost his hand when he picked up a police grenade. President Emmanuel Macron convened a ministerial meeting on Tuesday evening, and the General Inspectorate of the National Police has opened an investigation into 18 incidents of heavy-handed policing.
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France's interior minister, Laurent Nunes, ordered police to suspend the use of stun grenades during protests, according to TASS and RIA Novosti. Interfax reported that Nunes, speaking on the French radio station RTL on Wednesday, said: “I am suspending the use of these grenades during student protest actions until the circumstances of this case are clarified.” [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The order followed unrest in the city of Lens on Monday, during which a 15-year-old lycée student's hand was torn off when he picked up a police grenade, Interfax reported. On Tuesday evening, President Emmanuel Macron convened a ministerial meeting over the tensions caused by the protests. Nunes said Macron “reminded [those present] of the need to maintain order”, while also demanding empathy towards protest participants and more reliance on the principles of pedagogy. [ 3 ]
Nunes said the General Inspectorate of the National Police had opened an investigation into 18 incidents linked to heavy-handed police action during the protests. He said officers sought to “protect students and teachers from disorder”. [ 3 ]
Large-scale protests by schoolchildren and students broke out in September and grew into major nationwide demonstrations, at times accompanied by violence, Interfax reported. They centre on demands for a fundamental reform of the education system and improved conditions of study. TASS and RIA Novosti reported the suspension of the grenades without giving the reason for it or stating that it applies to student protests, while Interfax linked it to the Lens incident. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The order is a direct response to an injury during nationwide student protests over the education system, and it temporarily limits a police tool used in crowd control. The investigation into 18 incidents of police conduct, reported by Interfax, indicates the response extends beyond a single case. Coverage comes from Russian state and business outlets, which reported the French domestic measure without French official documents and largely relied on the minister's own statements.
Key facts
- French Interior Minister Laurent Nunes ordered police to suspend the use of stun grenades during protests. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Nunes said on RTL radio that he was suspending the grenades during student protests until the circumstances of “this case” were clarified. [ 3 ]
- On Monday, during unrest in Lens, a 15-year-old lycée student's hand was torn off when he picked up a police grenade. [ 3 ]
- On Tuesday evening, President Emmanuel Macron convened a ministerial meeting on the tensions over the protests. [ 3 ]
- Nunes said the General Inspectorate of the National Police has opened an investigation into 18 incidents linked to heavy-handed police action during the protests. [ 3 ]
- Protests by schoolchildren and students began in September and grew into large nationwide demonstrations, sometimes violent, centred on demands for fundamental reform of the education system and better learning conditions. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Whether the suspension covers all protests or only student protests. TASS and RIA Novosti describe a ban at protests generally, while Interfax, citing Nunes on RTL, says it applies specifically to student protest actions.
- How long the suspension will remain in force. Nunes is cited as saying it lasts until the circumstances of the case are clarified; no end date is given.
- The exact circumstances of the Lens injury and how the grenade went off. Only Interfax reports the incident, saying the student was lifting a police grenade; no other outlet in the set mentions it.
- The condition of the injured 15-year-old and his identity. Not stated in any document.
- What the ministerial meeting decided. Interfax reports the meeting took place and what Nunes said Macron stressed, but no decisions are described.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- TASS reports that French Interior Minister Laurent Nunes issued an order banning police from using stun grenades at protests. [ 1 ]
- RIA Novosti reports that France banned the use of stun grenades to disperse protests. [ 2 ]
- Interfax reports Nunes saying on RTL that he is suspending the use of the grenades during student protests until the case's circumstances are clarified. [ 3 ]
- Monday: during unrest in Lens, a 15-year-old lycée student's hand is torn off when he picks up a police grenade. [ 3 ]
- Tuesday evening: President Emmanuel Macron convenes a ministerial meeting over the tensions caused by the protests. [ 3 ]