Biodun Iginla, BBC News

Biodun Iginla, BBC News

Thursday, February 23, 2017

BREAKING: Paris: Students tear-gassed by police


  • Feb 23, 2017 15H:17  GMT/UTC/ZULU TIME
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  • From the sectionEurope
People run away from a smoke grenade launched by riot police forces during a demonstration against police brutality in Paris (23 February 2017)Image copyrightAFP
Image captionThe protests on Thursday were the latest in a series against alleged police brutality
by Natalie de Vallieres and Biodun Iginla, BBC News, Paris
Police have fired tear gas at Paris students who blockaded 16 high schools in protest against the alleged police rape of a young black man.
The demonstrations are the latest to be held in the capital over the alleged rape and other reported police abuses.
The victim, known publicly only as Theo, reported being beaten up by officers and raped with a truncheon after being stopped on 2 February.
Four police officers have been suspended pending an inquiry.
The demonstrators set fire to bins after starting their protest at the Place de la Nation.
Plain-clothes policemen arrest a man during a protest of students against alleged police brutality in Paris (23 February 2017)Image copyrightAFP
Image captionPlain-clothed policemen arrested a small number of protesters
A protester kicks a tear gas canister during the demonstration in Paris (23 February 2017)Image copyrightAFP
Image captionPolice fired tear gas and charged at the demonstrators with batons
The entrance of the High School Claude Bernard in Paris is blocked by waste bins (23 February 2017)Image copyrightEPA
Image captionSchool entrances across Paris were barricaded
The protesters gathered outside schools in Paris to prevent students and teachers from entering, using rubbish bins and other objects to barricade the entrances.
There were no reports of serious injuries, despite pictures on social media of clashes between police and protesters on the fringes of the Place de la Nation rally.
Police said they carried out only a handful of arrests.
Police said the protests were unlawful because no prior permission had been granted, according to local media.
A youth holds a placard during the protests in Paris on Thursday (23 February 2017)Image copyrightREUTERS
Image captionThe alleged rape of Theo, a young black man, has caused outrage among some students in Paris
A member of the riot police removes a garbage bin from a fire started by demonstrators protesting against alleged police brutality in Paris (23 February 2017)Image copyrightAFP
Image captionBins were set alight across the city
People throw projectiles at riot police during the demonstration against alleged police brutality in Paris (23 February 2017)Image copyrightAFP
Image captionProtesters threw stones at police
Protests are also reported by French media to have taken place in Montpelier.
Earlier this month, Theo described his trauma at the hands of police. He said he left home in north-west Paris and found himself in the middle of a police identity check targeting drug dealers.
He said he was then raped with a truncheon, as well as racially abused, spat at and beaten around his genitals.

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  • 23 February 2017
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  • From the sectionEurope

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