Over twenty individuals detained following prison assaults.
In the wake of a string of violent prison assaults in France, over 20 suspects were taken into custody during nationwide raids on Monday. The prosecutor's office for countering terrorism revealed the arrest tally, as investigations into the prison attacks between April 13 and 21 continued. Searches of the detainees took place in residential areas across major cities such as Paris, Marseille, Lyon, and Bordeaux.
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Battle Against Drug Cartels: A Priority
Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin commended the administrative officials and security forces over the apprehension of the suspected prison attackers on the social media platform X. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau applauded the investigators' professionalism, praising their efficiency in achieving results in minimal time. The synchronized raids occurred before parliamentary votes on a proposed law intended to combat drug cartels.
In the preceding two weeks, a group, going by the name "Defense of the Rights of French Prisoners" (DDPF), had targeted correctional facilities and the staff working within them. The group published threats via the encrypted messaging service Telegram. Their initials were found at the scene of the prison attacks.
Incidents of Arson near Prisons
Prior to a visit by the French Minister of Justice to a southern France prison in mid-April, there were incidents of arson affecting vehicles outside several prisons throughout France. Unidentified individuals fired an assault rifle at the entrance door of a prison in Toulon.
According to police sources, the modus operandi in some cases mirrors organized crime tactics, while others resemble the methods of left-wing extremist groups.
Enrichment Notes:- This incident marks a series of coordinated assaults on French prisons that are associated with ongoing attempts to restrict drug cartels within the prison system.- The arrests, led by law enforcement and anti-terrorism units, followed a spree of attacks on cars and facilities near prisons, including car arsons and assaults on prison guards and staff. The assailants appear to be linked to organized criminal networks dealing in drug trafficking, using violence in response to increased law enforcement.- Investigations are being led by the National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's Office, highlighting the gravity of the attacks and the potential classification as terrorist acts tied to organized crime.- In response to the violence, the French government is advocating for new legislation to equip law enforcement with stronger tools to dismantle drug networks operating inside prisons and prevent further violence against prison staff. The focus is on securing prisons and increasing penalties for those involved in drug trafficking and related prison violence.
- Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, on the social media platform X, congratulated the administrative officials and security forces for the arrests of the suspected prison attackers.
- Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, commenting on the same police operation, applauded the investigators' professionalism and praised their efficiency in achieving results in minimal time.
- The synchronized raids were conducted before parliamentary votes on a proposed law aimed at combating drug cartels, highlighting the government's focus on securing prisons and increasing penalties for those involved in drug trafficking and prison violence.
- The National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's Office is leading investigations into the prison attacks, suggesting that the potential classification of these incidents as terrorist acts tied to organized crime is under consideration.
