2007 civil unrest in Villiers-le-Bel

2007 civil unrest in Villiers-le-Bel

The 2007 unrest in the Val-d'Oise department in France began November 26 2007, following the deaths of two teenagers (Moushin S., 15, and Larami S., 16),cite web|title= Violence worsens in volatile Paris suburb | publisher=International Herald Tribune | url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/11/27/europe/france.php | date=2007-11-27| accessdate=2007-11-27] cite web|title=Les premiers éléments semblent exonérer les policiers| publisher="Le Figaro"| url=http://www.lefigaro.fr/actualites/2007/11/27/01001-20071127ARTFIG00275-les-premiers-elements-semblent-exonerer-les-policiers.php| date=2007-11-27| accessdate=2007-11-27] whose motorcycle collided with a police vehicle.cite web| title= Dozens injured in Paris rampage | publisher=BBC News | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7114175.stm | date=2007-11-27| accessdate=2007-11-27] The circumstances recalled those that precipitated the 2005 unrest, which began in Clichy-sous-Bois when two teenagers lost their lives as they evaded arrest while hiding in an electrical substation.

Motorcycle accident

The unrest began when the minibike, on which the youths were riding, collided with a police vehicle. The families of the youths allege that police rammed the motorcycle and left the two teenagers for dead.cite web| title= Paris rioters 'criminals' says PM | publisher=BBC News | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7115267.stm | date=2007-11-27| accessdate=2007-11-27] The police deny this, saying that the motorcycle was stolen [ [http://www.france24.com/france24Public/en/news/world/20071126-banlieue-suburbs-violence-riot-villiers-bel-fires-teens.html Paris suburb riots after deaths of two teens in crash] ] [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7112497.stm Riots break out in Paris suburbs] ] and was an unregistered vehicle not valid for street use, travelling at high speed, and that the youths were not wearing any protective headgear - an account, according to French newspaper reports, confirmed by two eyewitnesses. A police investigation indicated that the motorcycle was in third (top) gear and that the police car was not going over 40 km/h (25 mph).

Riots and government response

Immediately after the incident, a hostile crowd formed around the spot of the road accident. Divisional Commissioner Jean-François Illy, in charge of Sarcelles area, had his car burned and was hit with iron bars as he was trying to defuse the situation, and was hospitalised with a fractured nose and ribs. However, the scene of the accident was kept untouched by the crowd [ [http://www.rue89.com/2007/11/28/villiers-le-bel-les-recits-de-laccident Villiers-le-Bel: les récits del'accident] ] [ [http://www.lemonde.fr/web/article/0,1-0@2-3224,36-982354@51-982356,0.html Echauffourées à Villiers-le-Bel après la mort de deux adolescents] "Des habitants ont monté la garde autour des véhicules en début de soirée pour contribuer à l'enquête."] .

Over 130 policemen were injured during night-time riots and violent clashes, which began in Villiers-le-Bel in the Val-d'Oise department. [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article2983714.ece France stunned by rioters’ savagery] , 2 December 2007] Over 70 cars and buildings were burned, including a library, two schools, a police station, and several shops. According to Interior Minister Michèle Alliot-Marie, several police officers were hit by shotgun pellets,One officer received a serious shoulder wound when a firearm projectile pierced his body armour and another lost an eye. [http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/11/27/europe/france.php] [http://www.france24.com/france24Public/en/news/world/20071127-banlieue-suburbs-violence-riot-villiers-le-bel-cars-burnt-police-teenagers-8-police-dead.html] ] including six seriously wounded officers "who notably were struck in the face and close to the eyes." One police officer said that thirty officers had been hit by shotgun pellets, and one hit by a "bullet used to kill large game." He likened the situation to a "guerilla war".cite web|title=Paris suburb riots called 'a lot worse' than in 2005| publisher=International Herald Tribune | url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/11/27/europe/riots.php | date=2007-11-27| accessdate=2007-11-27]

At least ten cars were burned and a fire broke out at a library in Reynerie, a suburb of the southern city of Toulouse. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7116213.stm BBC NEWS | Europe | Sarkozy holds riot crisis talks ] ] Eight rioters were arrested by the police on the night of November 27. [ [http://news.fr.msn.com/france/galerie.aspx?cp-documentid=6824218&imageindex=6#6824218 "Au cœur des émeutes dans le Val d'Oise", AFP] ] [ [http://www.lefigaro.fr/actualites/2007/11/27/01001-20071127ARTFIG00522-violences-a-villiers-le-bel-huit-jeunes-ecroues.php "Violences à Villiers-le-Bel : huit jeunes écroués", AFP] ]

On November 28, President Nicolas Sarkozy, who was in China during the events, met Prime Minister François Fillon, Interior Minister Michèle Alliot-Marie, and Justice Minister Rachida Dati for a security briefing.cite web| title= Sarkozy to hold security meeting | publisher=France 24 | url=http://www.france24.com/france24Public/en/news/world/20071127-banlieue-suburbs-violence-riot-villiers-le-bel-cars-burnt-police-teenagers-8-police-dead.html | date=2007-11-27| accessdate=2007-11-27] . The authorities decided not to give detailed account of the riots, [ [http://www.cyberpresse.ca/article/20071128/CPMONDE/711280668/5281/CPMONDE Sarkozy reprend la main après deux nuits de violences en banlieue] ] however, they announced that 39 people were arrested the night before.

On November 29, French suburbs stayed relatively calm Wednesday night after 1,000 riot police were deployed. No report of injuries. [ [http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/11/29/france.riots/ Paris calm as riot police deployed] ]

Aftermath

An investigation has been opened against the rioters. Another has been opened concerning the accident. [ [http://tempsreel.nouvelobs.com/depeches/societe/20071204.FAP3138/emeutes_de_villierslebel_la_police_offre_une_recompense.html Emeutes de Villiers-le-Bel: la police offre une récompense aux témoins] ] On the 18th of February 2008, 33 people were arrested, suspected of being rioters. [ [http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iVGo20BhDyCStKYy6Kt9eRGtfytA Vaste opération de police à Villiers-le-Bel, la médiatisation critiquée] ]

ee also

wikinewshas|news related to this article
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*
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* 2005 civil unrest in France
* 2006 Brussels riots
* Gare du Nord riot in Paris
* Banlieues

References


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