France arrests man and calls in anti-terror police over town hall fire

On Tuesday, French security forces apprehended a 40-year-old man suspected of involvement in the arson of a historic town hall in Limoges, central France. The incident occurred during rioting that took place at the weekend during nationwide protests against issues such as high living costs and school conditions. The historic building, dating back to 1883, saw its roof and belfry collapse upon being engulfed by fire on Saturday.

The destruction of the town hall has become emblematic of the violent unrest that erupted during the protests.

The suspect, believed to be an ultra-leftist, was arrested by officers from the specialized RAID police unit in Val d'Issoire, a nearby town. He had previously been marked for surveillance as a potential threat and is connected to extreme-left movements, according to a source familiar with the case. France's Counter-Terrorism Sub-Directorate (SDAT), a branch of the judicial police, has also been enlisted to further investigate the case.

Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin hinted that if anti-terror prosecutors decide to pursue the investigation, it would imply a terrorist act, indicating that certain individuals, notably from the far left, organized the town hall's destruction.

Limoges' right-wing mayor, Guillaume Guerin, criticized the police response, claiming they lacked the necessary resources and backed down in the face of rioters. He urged the government to inject millions of euros into rebuilding the town hall, stating that the state has failed. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu is scheduled to visit Limoges on Friday.

The demonstration in Limoges on Saturday saw around 5,000 participants, including 700 individuals described as radicalized and extremely violent. The following evening, approximately 7,000 people rallied to denounce the violence.