by Manuel Ausloos and Antony Paone
(Reuters) – Clashes broke out on Saturday on the sidelines of a demonstration in support of the Kurdish community, the day after the shooting that left three people dead on Friday outside a Kurdish cultural centre.
Clashes erupted as some protesters left Republic Square where speeches were being held, throwing projectiles at police who responded with tear gas. Vehicles were overturned and some set on fire.
According to a spokeswoman for the Kurdish Democratic Council in France (CDK-F), which announced the end of the mobilization, provocations would have angered demonstrators.
“Provocateurs passed with a vehicle and the Turkish flag making the sign of the gray wolf (the rallying sign of the eponymous Turkish nationalist group-Editor’s note) so automatically that provoked the young people a little”, declared Berivan Firat, door- word of external relations of the CDK-F, on BFM TV.
The security service of the demonstration tried to contain the scuffles by forming a human chain and the organizers called for calm.
On BFM TV, the prefect of police of Paris, Laurent Nunez, specified that 11 people had been arrested during these clashes.
“The Kurds are not meant to harm public property, break or attack the police, but I have the impression that the police who are there do not have the sensitivity to know that these people are extremely affected, injured and that you have to behave differently with them, maybe backing down rather than gassing,” Berivan Firat added to the television channel.
FEELING OF INSECURITY
Three people were killed and three others injured, after a shooting that broke out late Friday morning rue d’Enghien, in the 10th arrondissement of Paris.
The prosecution announced on Saturday evening the transfer to the psychiatric infirmary of the police headquarters of the alleged perpetrator of the attack, a 69-year-old man of French nationality, already convicted twice for prohibited possession of weapons and for violence with weapons, and indicted in another assault case.
The doctor who examined the suspect at the end of the afternoon considered that the state of health of the person concerned was not compatible with police custody.
“The police custody measure has therefore been lifted pending his presentation before an investigating judge when his state of health allows it”, specified the prosecution, which had previously indicated that the racist motive had been added to investigation.
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. .
(Report Manuel Ausloos and Antony Paone, with the contribution of Gus Trompiz and Caroline Pailliez, written by Kate Entringer and Jean-Michel Bélot)