Macron warns rioters they will "pay for their crimes" in televised national address
Emmanuel Macron told France on Sunday evening that protesters who "attacked government buildings need to pay for their crimes", promising investigations "as fast as possible" and "full transparency" over the police response.
French President Emmanuel Macron told the nation on Sunday evening that protesters who “attacked government buildings need to pay for their crimes”, as he addressed a second day of unrest after Saturday’s marches descended into rioting and looting.
The televised address began at 18:00 GMT (23:00 PKT), following an emergency meeting with Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu, ministers and police authorities, according to Al Jazeera’s live coverage.
Macron said investigations into illegal acts would be conducted “as fast as possible” and vowed “full transparency” over the police response, adding that “nothing justifies” the violence. He called for those who “sought to bring down the Republic” to be held accountable, while distinguishing protesters’ “legitimate demands” from “those who looted”.
In separate remarks carried by The Sun, Macron said: “Public buildings, shops and town halls were attacked and in some cases destroyed. Many hundreds of police officers were injured.” He added: “How can French people do this to France? We are all feeling anger and shame tonight.”
The Paris prosecutor’s office said 855 people were arrested in the capital on Saturday, more than half of them minors, with 557 placed in custody and about 130 minors still held. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez put the nationwide total at about 1,800 arrests on Sunday.
Left-wing leader Jean-Luc Melenchon blamed the government, calling it “solely responsible” for the destruction and saying it had “failed to organise the maintenance of public order”.
Earlier on Sunday, the roof and clock tower of Limoges’ 143-year-old city hall collapsed after it was set ablaze during the protests.
Sources
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