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France’s Crackdown: 25 Arrested Amid Wave of Prison Attacks

In early morning operations across France, authorities have arrested 25 individuals linked to a series of coordinated assaults targeting prisons and the residences of prison officers. These raids unfolded on Monday, spanning major cities including Paris, Marseille, Bordeaux, and Lyon.

The French Justice Minister, Gérald Darmanin, indicated that these attacks are likely orchestrated by criminal gangs retaliating against a recent government initiative aimed at combating drug trafficking. This response follows a distressing spike in violence, with two prisons coming under gunfire and vehicles being set ablaze over a period of five nights earlier this month. Darmanin classified these incidents as “terrorist attacks.”

Prisons in Toulon, Aix-En-Provence, Marseille, Valence, and Nîmes in the south, as well as Villepinte and Nanterre near Paris, were among those that faced aggression. One notable incident occurred on April 15, when assailants unleashed fire on the gate of La Farlede prison in Toulon using a Kalashnikov.

Since April 13, reports have documented at least 65 attacks against prison facilities or personnel, according to Le Figaro. One group, claiming to represent the rights of prisoners, has taken to the Telegram app to assert responsibility for the recent violence.

In response to the unrest, President Emmanuel Macron has vowed to ensure that those behind the attacks will be “found, tried and punished.” The French anti-terror prosecutors, managing the ongoing investigation, confirmed the 25 arrests on Monday, some of which occurred within prison walls, targeting key suspects believed to have coordinated the assaults.

Minister Darmanin reaffirmed the government’s commitment to uphold the law and strengthen their efforts against drug trafficking. Meanwhile, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau commended the “great professionalism” exhibited by investigators, enabling rapid results amidst a challenging situation.

Looking ahead, both ministers have signaled a push for more stringent measures against drug-related offenses. The French parliament is set to vote this week on a proposed bill aimed at establishing a specialized prosecutor’s office, equipped with enhanced powers for enforcement agencies.

Source
www.bbc.com