France suspends stun grenade use after student loses hand

France has temporarily halted the use of stun grenades during student protests following a tragic incident in Lens where a 15-year-old boy lost his hand. The Interior Minister, Laurent Nunez, ordered the suspension pending clarification of the events, amidst conflicting reports from authorities and protesters. The incident occurred on Monday near Auguste Béhal High School during ongoing demonstrations over school conditions.

Authorities stated the teenager picked up an anti-encirclement grenade and it exploded, while students alleged he was directly hit by a grenade fired by an officer. The police watchdog, IGPN, has initiated 18 investigations into the use of force by officers during the demonstrations. The Interior Minister acknowledged there were questions to be addressed within the Ministry of the Interior regarding the Lens incident.

The stun grenades, classified as non-lethal weapons, release rubber projectiles upon detonation. The Lens event has heightened concerns over police tactics during the student protests, which have expanded from high school students to university students, parents, and trade unions. Over 500 schools were partially or fully closed on Wednesday following the nationwide protests.

More than 500 people were arrested and 43 security officers were injured during the demonstrations. Concerns over police conduct were already growing after another incident last week in Saint-Ouen-l’Aumone where a 14-year-old boy was injured by a tear-gas grenade. A police officer has been charged in connection with this incident.

Prosecutors have also opened an attempted-murder investigation after a 17-year-old protester claimed a police officer held his head underwater while attempting to arrest him near a river in Belfort. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu condemned violence during the protests, while President Emmanuel Macron held an emergency meeting with Lecornu and other senior ministers to address the crisis.

Government figures estimated over 250,000 participants in Tuesday's demonstrations, while student unions reported around 450,000 attendees. Further protests are scheduled for Thursday in Paris and other French cities.