Saint-Denis: Investigation into violence against police officers during school blockade
The Bobigny prosecutor's office is investigating violence against police officers who intervened on Thursday at Paul-Éluard high school during a student blockade. Three suspects have been arrested and teachers denounce what they consider a disproportionate police intervention.
Investigation opened following confrontations at high school
The Bobigny prosecutor's office has opened an investigation into "violence against persons holding public authority" following tensions that took place on Thursday at Paul-Éluard high school in Saint-Denis, according to an announcement by prosecutor Alexandre de Bosschère on Friday 16 October. According to BFM TV and the authorities, police officers from the Saint-Denis police station were "insulted and struck" during a gathering attended by several hundred students and educational staff mobilised by a blockade of the establishment.
Four individuals involved, three arrested
Three suspects were arrested on site whilst a fourth fled inside the high school. The police officers then entered the establishment with authorisation from the head of the school and their hierarchy to arrest this minor in an administrative office. According to the prosecutor, the officers ultimately decided to release the student in order to "be able to leave safely"; he "will be questioned very soon".
Police complaints, denial from teachers
The police officers filed complaints and will be examined by a doctor, the prosecutor reports. The officers denounce violence from teachers present during the intervention. For their part, the high school staff organised a press conference on Friday afternoon to denounce "police repression of extreme violence" against students and demand the "immediate departure" of the headmaster, held responsible for authorising the entry of the police. The police prefecture stated that "prevented by teachers, the police officers withdrew in order to restore calm".
Paul-Éluard high school is among the establishments most mobilised since the beginning of the student movement in mid-September.
Source: BFM TV