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France suspends use of stun grenades after student's hand is blown off during protests
Overview
France has suspended the use of stun grenades for policing student protests following an incident in Lens where a 15-year-old boy's hand was blown off. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced the pause pending clarification of the events, amid conflicting accounts from officials and protesters regarding the deployment of the weapon. The protests, driven by demands for better school conditions, have led to widespread school closures, arrests, and injuries among both demonstrators and security forces.
Key points
- France has suspended the use of stun grenades during student protests after a 15-year-old boy lost his hand in Lens.
- Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez stated the pause will remain until the facts of the incident are clarified.
- Authorities claim the boy picked up the grenade before it exploded, whereas students allege he was hit directly by an officer's shot.
- The police watchdog IGPN has opened 18 investigations into whether officers used proportionate force during the demonstrations.
- Widespread protests have led to hundreds of school closures, 488 arrests on Tuesday alone, and numerous injuries among protesters and security forces.