Thousands of youths detained as French courts grapple with high school protests

Protests at high schools across France escalated on Thursday, leading to a rapid increase in police custody numbers. Officials reported 1,793 people held, of which about 90% are minors. The offenses are split evenly among assaults on public authority figures, participation in unlawful assemblies, and damage to property.

In the Paris appellate jurisdiction, 130 individuals were placed in custody and 42 were released without charge. The Bobigny court alone recorded 98 detentions, 92 of them minors, and has scheduled additional hearings over the weekend. Prosecutor Alexandre de Bosschère highlighted the seizure of incendiary devices and weapons, as well as extensive vandalism. Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin called for swift civil liability actions against parents and stricter penalties for adult offenders.