Teen's facial injuries spark fresh scrutiny of French police tactics during student protests

During protests in Saint-Ouen-l'Aumone, 14-year-old Eden was struck in the mouth by a tear-gas canister launched from a Cougar device after an officer first beat him with a baton. His parents, represented by lawyer Elsa Marcel, have filed an attempted-murder charge, while the officer faces a formal probe for assault resulting in permanent disability. This case joins 23 others under IGPN review, involving rubber bullets, stun grenades and other "less-lethal" weapons that have caused severe injuries, including loss of an eye and a hand.

Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu called the demonstrations the most violent in decades, prompting renewed calls to ban such weapons. Human-rights groups and some politicians demand a ban, while police unions argue the tools are essential for officer safety amid escalating violence.