WIDESPREAD suburban rioting spilled into central Paris
tonight as hundreds went on the rampage over the alleged rape of a young black
man by French police.
Officers were forced to unleash tear-gas on angry crowds as
buildings and rubbish bins were set on fire around the Barbes Metro station,
which is just around the corner from the Eurostar hub at Gare du Nord.
As fire crews went in to extinguish the blazes, lines of
riot police were attacked, and shops were looted.
A policeman at the scene said: “Windows have been smashed
and officers attacked.
“Small groups of protestors wearing hoods to hide their
identities are causing trouble and then running away.
“Small groups of protestors wearing hoods to hide their
identities are causing trouble and then running away.
“Everything is being done to try and disperse the crowds,
but this could go on for a long time yet.”
Tension have been high in council estates in the Paris
suburbs since February 2, when a man identified only as Theo was beaten up and
allegedly raped.
The youth worker said he was sodomised by police with a
truncheon, as well as being racially abused, spat at and beaten around his
genitals.
One unidentified officer has been charged with rape, and
three more with assault since Theo was sent to hospital.
He underwent emergency surgery, and has since been visited
by President Francois Hollande, who has appealed for calm.
Police stations and squad cars have been attacked since,
along with patrols trying to operate around France.
Tonight's protest at Barbes was an illegal one, with police
in the 18th arrondissement refusing to give permission for it.
The areas is also close to the Sacre Coeur basilica in the
Montmartre area - one hugely popular with tourists, including many from Britain.
Many fear a repeat of the mass housing estate rioting that
blighted France over three weeks in 2005, leading to a State of Emergency being
declared.
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