(Reuters) – Clashes broke out on Saturday on the sidelines of the demonstration by the Kurdish community, the day after the deadly shooting that took place on rue d’Enghien, in the 10th arrondissement.
The Kurdish Democratic Council in France (CDK-F) called for a demonstration after three people were killed and three others injured during a shooting that broke out late Friday morning outside a Kurdish cultural center.
The security service of the demonstration tried to contain the scuffles by forming a human chain and tear gas was fired by the police.
The prosecution also announced on Saturday that the custody of the alleged perpetrator of the attack, a 69-year-old French man, already convicted twice for prohibited possession of weapons and for violence with weapons, and indicted in another assault case, was extended and the racist motive had been added to the investigation.
“…) to the legal qualifications of the offenses retained (murders, attempted murders, intentional violence with a weapon, and violations of the legislation on weapons) was added the racist motive of the facts”, said the prosecution to Reuters.
“The addition of this circumstance does not change the maximum penalty incurred, which remains life imprisonment,” he added.
CDK-F spokespersons highlighted the feelings of insecurity and fear experienced by members of the Kurdish community as it prepared to commemorate the 2013 assassination of three female activists from the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in Paris.
“The Franco-Kurdish community is angry and scared today. It needs answers, justice and above all consideration,” CDK-F lawyer David Andic told a press conference on Friday. .
“We know it, we are threatened, the Kurds in general, the Kurdish activists, the Kurdish militants are threatened, and France owes us protection,” said Berivan Firat, spokesperson for external relations of the CDK-F, on BFM-TV.
(Written by Kate Entringer, with contributions from Caroline Pailliez, Gus Trompiz, Manuel Ausloos)