‘Attempted murder’: Molotov cocktail hits police officer as France protests escalate

On Saturday, a police officer in Paris was injured by a Molotov cocktail during violent protests over rising living costs and deteriorating public services. The interior ministry confirmed that 565 people were arrested across France, with four police officers and one gendarme suffering injuries, three of them suffering from burns caused by Molotov cocktails.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez described the level of violence by some groups as "extraordinary" despite around 150 planned demonstrations largely remaining peaceful. Approximately 320,000 people participated in the nationwide demonstrations, down from 410,000 the previous weekend. In Paris, protesters marched from Porte de Bagnolet to Porte de Charenton, with masked individuals using hammers to throw paving stones at police and at least one incendiary device thrown at security forces.

Despite a substantial security deployment of 70,000 police officers and gendarmes, including elite units, the protests saw dozens of rioters attacking officers with projectiles. Nuñez referred to the Molotov cocktail attack on the officer as an "attempted murder." The protests, which saw participation from school students, trade unions, and Yellow Vest protesters, united by grievances over the cost of living, widening inequalities, and the state of public services under Macron's government.

Clashes occurred in Lyon, Toulouse, and Berlin, while anti-government protests also took place in Albania's capital, Tirana.