France opens attempted murder probe after petrol bomb attack
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France launched an attempted murder investigation on Sunday following petrol bomb attacks on security forces during protests, with footage of an officer engulfed in flames causing widespread outrage. On Saturday, clashes broke out across several cities as hundreds of thousands of people participated in protests against rising living costs.
The Paris police prefecture reported that several hundred rioters had targeted security forces with projectiles. Paris prosecutors are examining videos and social media posts, identifying three individuals dressed in black, similar to Black Bloc protesters, as suspects. However, no arrests have been made thus far. While protests have been less intense than in previous weeks, Interior Minister Laurent Nunez described the violence as extraordinary.
Dramatic images showed a homemade incendiary device exploding near a security officer, setting his lower body ablaze. Prosecutors confirmed an investigation into attempted murder of individuals performing public duties. Explosive devices were thrown at approximately 15 gendarmes and police officers, causing second-degree burns. A video on social media depicted a police officer in protective gear suffering severe burns as colleagues attempted to extinguish the flames.
An unnamed gendarme, referred to as Captain Alexandre, explained that they initially believed the man helping the officer was intending to attack them, but later realized he had been trying to provide assistance.
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