Marseille: 15-year-old arrested for burning woman's face with homemade flamethrower
A minor attacked a woman who made a remark to him during student protests in Marseille. Over 5,000 arrests across France.
Arrest of 15-year-old in Marseille for flamethrower attack on woman
According to Ethnos, a 15-year-old was handed over to authorities following his attack last Friday on a woman with a homemade flamethrower, during incidents that erupted on the fringes of student protests in Marseille.
The victim had made a remark to the minor about damage to public property. The perpetrator, with his face covered by a mask, used a combination of aerosol spray and a lighter as a weapon. French newspaper Le Parisien reported that the woman suffered first-degree burns to her face. Video of the attack circulated widely and provoked strong reactions.
Chaos in secondary schools across France
Student protests have paralysed France in recent days. Demonstrators are demanding improved conditions in schools and are criticising the Macron government for shortages in teaching staff. The mobilisations have escalated, with secondary school students setting fires outside school buildings in various parts of the country.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez stated on French television network TF1 that over 5,000 people have been arrested since the mobilisations began, with the majority being underage secondary school students.
Education Minister condemns violence
Education Minister Édouard Zeffré described the movement as "initially justified", but argued that it has now "become hostage to far-left groups". He separated the demands of the students from the violent incidents affecting the country.
"For a week now, unprecedented violence has affected our schools. Secondary schools are coming under attack, buildings are being vandalised, sometimes set on fire, while staff members are being targeted in attacks," Zeffré said in a post on platform X. "The initial demands concerned better public education. Those committing these acts want to destroy it," he added.
The Ministry of National Education announced that at least 500 of the country's total 3,700 secondary schools would remain fully or partially closed on Monday as a result of the ongoing mobilisations.
Source: Ethnos