Molotov cocktail thrown at gendarmes in Paris leads to attempted homicide inquiry

The attack at Porte de Charenton

A Molotov cocktail was thrown at gendarmes in Paris late on Saturday evening, 31 October, as a demonstration was winding down. Images shared by AFP, including photographs and video, show the homemade device exploding at the feet of a member of the security forces at Porte de Charenton, in the 12th arrondissement. The officer was slightly injured in the blast. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez had called the throw an attempted murder that same Saturday, describing it as part of an episode of violence aimed at law enforcement during the Paris rallies.

Opening of the inquiry

On Sunday, 1 November, the Paris prosecutor's office confirmed to AFP that it had opened an inquiry for attempted homicide against persons holding public authority. The case was entrusted to the Sûreté territoriale de Paris. In the same statement, the prosecutor's office described the scale of the violence:

“Jets of explosive objects targeted about fifteen gendarmes as well as police officers.”

No one has yet been arrested for these acts, and investigators are still working to identify the perpetrators.

Injuries and custody

Prosecutors said a census of the injured was under way, with the injuries so far described as second-degree burns and tinnitus, although that picture still needed to be clarified. Complaints were expected to be filed that day, but none had been lodged at that stage. The gendarme struck by the cocktail told news channels about a burning sensation and a rain of projectiles thrown at his unit by a group he called determined. Paris prosecutors reported 105 arrests in total, 88 linked to Saturday's demonstrations and 17 to the night of Halloween. Of the 89 people held in police custody in Paris, 61 were adults and 22 were minors, while the birth dates of six others were still to be determined. For the adults, the main allegations were taking part in a group formed to commit violence or damage and carrying category D weapons such as daggers or knuckledusters.

Adults61

Minors22

Birth date not yet established6

Adults

61 people

Minors

22 people

Birth date not yet established

6 people

Data from the article text

Political reaction

Marine Le Pen of the Rassemblement national and Bruno Retailleau of Les Républicains, both described in the reporting as presidential election candidates, denounced the gesture as unbearable on Saturday after the images circulated. Their reaction came before the prosecutor's announcement on Sunday. The prosecutor's legal wording, attempted homicide against persons holding public authority, differs from the minister's Saturday phrase attempted murder. Investigators are still trying to identify the people who threw the device.