“Empathy? Start by having some for our colleagues”: the apostrophe from the police to the head of state
Quick Look
- Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced the temporary suspension of the use of stun grenades during high school demonstrations after one of these munitions tore off the hand of a 15-year-old student in Lens.
- An IGPN investigation must determine the circumstances of the incident, in particular whether the shooting was legal and whether the high school student had picked up the grenade.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
High school demonstrations are taking place in France against educational reforms perceived as unfair. The use of stun grenades by law enforcement during these gatherings is controversial due to the risk of serious injury.
The gesture, which has little chance of defusing the high school movement, was perceived as a bad signal within the police. This Wednesday, Laurent Nuñez announced the temporary abandonment of stun grenades, one of which tore off the hand of a fifteen-year-old student last Monday in Lens, in circumstances which still remain undetermined. An IGPN investigation will have to establish in particular whether the high school student actually picked up this explosive-laden ammunition, whether it landed on him and, finally, whether the shooting was legal. “I am suspending their use for the high school movement until light has been shed on what happened in this affair,” explained the Minister of the Interior on RTL, before insisting that this bracketing applies “only for the high school movement, while we understand what happened.” The day before, the director general of the national police, Louis Laugier, had informed his troops that the use…
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The IGPN will conclude that the use of the stun grenade was not regulatory in this specific case.
Possible · Within weeks
The high school movement will continue despite the suspension of stun grenades.
Likely · Within days
Open Questions
- Had the high school student actually picked up the grenade before it exploded?
- Was the grenade fired in accordance with the rules of engagement?
- What will be the conclusions of the IGPN investigation?
- Will the suspension of stun grenades be extended beyond the high school movement?
