The Ministry Of Foreign Affairs Ensures That No Indonesian Citizens Are Affected By Riots In France

UNSPLASH/ev ILLUSTRATION

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that so far no Indonesian citizens (WNI) have been affected or involved in riots in France, which was triggered by a fatal shooting by police against a 17-year-old youth.

"The Indonesian Embassy in Paris has coordinated with the Nanterre City police and Indonesian community nodes," said Director of Protection for Indonesian Citizens and BHI of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Judha Nugraha, quoted by ANTARA, Friday, June 30.

Riots erupted in France after police shot dead French youth of Algerian descent, Nahel (17), as he did not follow orders to stop for traffic checks on Tuesday (27/6) in Nanterre City on the outskirts of Paris.

Since then, riots have spread to other Parisian suburbs, such as SEine-Saint DenisdanVIlleurbanne, as well as other major cities including Nantes and Toulouse as of Wednesday night (28/6).

French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne said the government would consider all options, including declaring a state of emergency, to restore law and order.

Prosecutors said the officer who killed the teenager had been charged with voluntary murder and placed in pre-trial detention.

More than 800 people have been arrested across France, with clashes between protesters and police reportedly occurring in many cities including Paris, Bordeaux, Lyon, Roubaix, Marseille. and Lille.

Protesters burned various buildings and damaged public property. Videos circulating on social media showed protesters looting restaurants and shops.

Public buildings including schools were also targeted, and dozens of public buses were set on fire in Paris. A total of 942 buildings were targeted, 2,000 vehicles were burned, and a total of 3,880 fires occurred overnight, "said French President Emmanuel Macron's statement.

The French Interior Ministry said police arrested 875 people, including 408 people in the Paris area. A total of 249 police officers were also injured in the clashes.