France: 217 people jailed over violence and looting

French Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin announced on Thursday that 217 people had been imprisoned out of 2,700 placed in preventive detention following "acts of violence and looting" witnessed in France last weekend.

According to AFP, Darmanan considered this measure a "very firm and unprecedented response," noting that half of those imprisoned had no prior criminal record.

The French authorities had announced a number of measures in response to the widespread protests sweeping the country, including imposing a curfew starting Monday, October 19, in some areas of Paris, particularly around Place de la Republique and the Les Halles district, as well as in the cities of Lille, Douai, Wattignies, and Denain in northern France, according to Radio France Internationale.

These measures came after a weekend marked by protest movements interspersed with acts of violence and looting throughout France.

The protests began following demands related to the high cost of living, shortages of resources in the education sector, and the deterioration of public services.