France eyes stricter laws for attacks on police after PSG win riots

Euronews

4 days ago

French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin says he wants tougher punishments for anyone found guilty of violence against police officers, in comments that come after clashes broke out following Paris Saint-Germain's (PSG) Champions League win.
In a social media post, Darmanin argued that the current legal framework is too lenient and insufficient to deal with incidents occurring in the country.
"Following this weekend's serious public order incidents and repeated disturbances, some of the convictions for violence, particularly against law enforcement officers and for destruction of property, are no longer commensurate with the level of violence in our country," he wrote.
He added that magistrates must be able to respond with a wider scale of penalties that is "truly adapted to today's delinquency."
"As I have publicly proposed, we need to radically change the law," Darmanin said, calling for an end to obligatory adjustments for jail terms of fewer than six months.
This sees judges find alternative arrangements to prison for shorter sentence and allows detainees to serve time at home with an electronic bracelet.
He also urged for an end to suspended sentences in such cases and a law to set up a "systematic minimum sentence" for those found guilty.
A minimum of three months in prison for any assault on a representative of the state or a very high fine for any destruction were cited as examples.
"These proposals, which we must implement quickly, guarantee the independence of the judiciary, which we must all protect and the essential firmness and common sense that our fellow citizens want," he stressed.
Darmanin, who expressed interest in standing in the 2027 presidential election, has been vocal about increasing punishments for criminals. However, the measures floated on Tuesday would require new legislation and it's not guaranteed that lawmakers would back the proposals.
PSG beat Inter Milan by a record 5-0 on Saturday at the Allianz Arena in Munich, bagging the biggest prize in European club football for the first time.
Victory celebrations soon erupted and while these were largely peaceful, they spun out of control in some areas, particularly on the Champs-Elysées.
According to Paris police, 559 people were arrested after more than 200 cars were torched and police clashed with young people.
Two people died during the turbulent night. In Paris, a person who was riding a scooter was hit by a car and succumbed to his injuries and in the southern town of Dax, a 17-year-old teenager was stabbed to death.
Clashes continued on Sunday night with people allegedly shooting fireworks at security forces, trying to vandalise shops and blocking traffic. Another 79 people were detained.
When receiving the triumphant team at the Elysée Palace on Sunday, President Emmanuel Macron condemned what he called "unacceptable" violence during the festivities.
"Nothing can justify what has happened in the last few hours," he said.