Grenoble: investigation opened after armed man spotted during protest
Grenoble's public prosecutor's office opened a preliminary investigation on Monday following the circulation of videos showing an armed man outside a supermarket during the 24 October protest. No details were provided regarding the type of weapon.
Investigation following images of armed man in Grenoble
According to BFM TV, Grenoble's public prosecutor's office announced on Monday 26 October the opening of a preliminary investigation following the circulation of videos showing a man "carrying a weapon" outside a supermarket on Saturday 24 October. The investigation addresses content shared on social media and in the local press.
The images show a man brandishing a handgun outside a small supermarket with lowered shutters, attempting to keep people who were approaching away. Several individuals had their faces covered during the incident. The prosecutor's office has so far provided no details about the type of weapon or its authenticity.
According to a witness cited by Dauphiné Libéré, the man displayed the weapon as people began to damage the supermarket's windows. The 24 October protest against the rising cost of living, which was authorised, brought together approximately 10,000 people and took place alongside a presence of "400 violent individuals organised in 'black bloc'" according to the prefectural authority's official assessment.
Throughout the route, several shops had their façades damaged and a supermarket was partially looted. The prefectural authority indicated that the city centre, which was prohibited from gatherings by municipal decree, was spared from these incidents. The investigation is ongoing.
Source: BFM TV