90 arrested, then released, as police clash with anti-fascists in Paris
Ninety people were arrested in Paris Saturday after police clashed with far-left demonstrators commemorating the killing of anti-fascist activist Clément Méric three years ago. All those arrested were released, with four charged with various offences.
Issued on:
About 1,000 demonstrators, according to official figures, faced a heavy police presence in northern Paris on Saturday afternoon.
Police intervened after the march deviated from the authorised route to go along the side of a canal.
Demonstrators threw bottles and fireworks at police, who fired teargas and charged them.
Some vehicles, including one belonging to Paris city council, were overturned, two windows broken, a traffic light destroyed and facades sprayed with graffiti, according to the Paris police authority.
Organisers claimed the police presence was excessive and used its "arsenal of repression" to prevent the march reaching its end.
Anti-fascist groups have been involved in clashes with the police, including the burning of a police car, on recent protests against the government's planned labour reform.
Four people were placed in detention for "rebellion", participation in an armed group, and refusing to give fingerprints.
Méric was killed at the age of 18 in a confrontation with far-right skinheads in central Paris on 5 June 2013.
Four of his attackers have been charged, two with actual bodily harm unintentionally leading to someone's death and two with actual bodily harm.
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning
Subscribe