Paris rally over alleged police rape descends into riot

A peaceful rally in a Paris suburb has descended into violence amid anger over the case of a black youth worker who was allegedly raped with a police baton.


Police on Saturday fired tear gas at protesters who threw projectiles at officers and set cars and rubbish bins alight.

More than 2,000 people gathered peacefully in the northern suburb of Bobigny outside the courthouse calling for justice for the 22-year-old victim, who has been identified only as Theo.

Later, however, some in the crowd hurled crude projectiles at riot police.

Al Jazeera's David Chater, reporting from Bobigny, said: "The whole area where the demonstration started is now soaking in tear gas."

He said the protesters were taking out their anger and frustration "over what they see as a burning sense of injustice" out on the streets.

A police statement said: "Several vehicles, including a media truck, were set on fire and police officers had to intervene to rescue a young child trapped in a burning vehicle."
 aljazeera.com
12/2/17