April 28, 2025
Arrests after violence at French prisons
In France, 25 people have been arrested for their alleged roles in prison attacks earlier this month, in which several facilities were shot at and staff cars were set on fire. Mortar shells were also fired this week. A group is suspected of being involved in 'defending the rights of French prisons'.

France French Police Marseille
Arrests
According to French media and the French national anti-terrorist organization, the 25 people were arrested in the Paris area and in the cities of Marseille, Lyon and Bordeaux. Justice Minister Darmanin thanked the police and justice department on X "for arresting the alleged perpetrators of the attacks."

In ten days, 65 incidents took place in France, in which several homes of prison staff were also reportedly attacked, NOS reports .

Prisoners' rights
The French newspaper Le Figaro writes that for fifteen days a group has been active that is committed to the 'defense of the rights of French prisoners', abbreviated as DDPF. It targets prisons and their guards. The group publishes videos and threats via the messaging service Telegram. Their abbreviation was found near the affected prisons.

Shots
Among the most serious incidents were shots fired with automatic weapons at a prison on the night of April 14-15. On the night of April 20-21, a residential area where prison staff live was heavily attacked with shots and Molotov cocktails.

Last Wednesday evening and Thursday morning, the Aix-Luynes prison and a youth detention center in Marseille were shelled with mortar shells, the French newspaper reported.