Story perspectives

France suspends stun grenades for protests after injury

By Drooid · Oct 7, 2026, 6:41 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Interior Minister Laurent Nunez announced a temporary stun-grenade suspension for high-school protests after a 15-year-old lost his hand in Lens.
Nunez said 18 investigations into police force use were referred to the police inspectorate.
Interior Ministry said about 6,100 people, mostly minors, have been arrested since the protests began.
Education Minister Édouard Geffray said at least 24 schools were set alight or vandalised and 589 disrupted nationwide.

History

Historical Context

The 2005 French riots started on 27 October 2005 in Clichy-sous-Bois after Zyed Benna and Bouna Traoré died, prompting Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy to declare a state of emergency on 8 November. The unrest burned over 8,000 vehicles, led to more than 2,760 arrests, and spurred a review of the 1995 Internal Security Law. Lens protest, where Interior Minister Laurent Nunez banned stun-grenades after a 15-year-old lost his hand, echoes that response.

1 of 2

Story summary

Interior Minister Laurent Nunez announced a temporary stun-grenade suspension for high-school protests after a 15-year-old lost his hand in Lens.
Nunez said 18 investigations into police force use were referred to the police inspectorate.
Interior Ministry said about 6,100 people, mostly minors, have been arrested since the protests began.
Education Minister Édouard Geffray said at least 24 schools were set alight or vandalised and 589 disrupted nationwide.

1 / 2