France Suspends Stun Grenades After Teenager Loses Hand in Protest
Interior minister cites conflicting accounts of incident involving a 15-year-old during ongoing student demonstrations.
France has temporarily halted the use of stun grenades in policing student protests following an incident where a 15-year-old boy lost a hand, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced. The pause will remain in effect until the circumstances of the event, which occurred Monday in Lens, are clarified.
Conflicting accounts have emerged regarding the incident. Authorities stated the boy picked up a stun grenade that then exploded, while students allege an officer fired it directly at him. The grenade, described as an anti-encirclement device, is considered a non-lethal weapon but deploys small rubber pellets upon detonation.
The suspension comes amid widespread student protests that have disrupted more than 500 schools nationwide. The demonstrations, which began in mid-September, involve high school pupils, university students, parents, and unions. Protesters are calling for improved school conditions, citing issues such as timetables, class sizes, teacher shortages, and overheated classrooms.
Nuñez confirmed that the national police watchdog, IGPN, has opened 18 investigations into allegations of disproportionate police force during the demonstrations. "When there is suspicion of disproportionate force, there are always judicial investigations," he stated, emphasizing the government's commitment to protecting students.
Wednesday saw over 500,000 students participate in protests across the country, with some demonstrations involving tear gas and water cannon deployment. The interior ministry reported 488 arrests and injuries to 43 members of the security forces on Tuesday alone. Since the protests began, over 6,500 individuals have been stopped or arrested, and hundreds of students, staff, and officers have sustained injuries.
President Emmanuel Macron convened an emergency meeting Tuesday evening with key ministers to address the escalating crisis. The protests have significantly disrupted the education system, with nearly a quarter of all high schools affected by blockades and demonstrations.
Students' unions have disputed official figures on protest participation and plan a fourth round of nationwide demonstrations for Thursday. Ryad Rani, head of the USL high school union, urged Nuñez on Wednesday to call for restraint from law enforcement.