Paris (France) (AFP) – An investigation was opened for “attempted homicide of persons holding public authority” after the throwing of a Molotov cocktail at gendarmes in Paris during demonstrations on Saturday, the Paris prosecutor's office said on Sunday requested by AFP.
Published on: 01/11/2026 - 12:49 Modified on: 01/11/2026 - 17:22
The Minister of the Interior, Laurent Nuñez, on Saturday described the throwing of a Molotov cocktail against a mobile gendarme in Paris as an “attempted murder”.
“Throws of explosive objects targeted around fifteen gendarmes as well as police officers,” details the prosecution. The investigation was entrusted to the Paris Territorial Security.
A “census of the injured is underway”, specifies the public prosecutor. “The injuries caused would be second-degree burns and tinnitus, but this situation needs to be clarified.” “The first complaints will be filed today, none have been filed at this stage,” adds the prosecution.
No accused "has been arrested at this stage for the facts in question" and "investigations are continuing to identify the perpetrators", concludes the prosecution on this subject.
The gendarme hit by the Molotov cocktail testified to the news channels about the burn he felt, the "skin that stings", the "rain" of various projectiles thrown against his unit by a "determined" group.
Another video circulated on social networks where we see the gendarme belonging to the mobile unit forces, Captain Alexandre (he does not wish to give his name), maintaining order when his leg begins to burn after the Molotov cocktail was thrown.
While two of his colleagues try to put out the fire on his leg, a man in a white t-shirt and straw hat runs towards the captain to put out the flames with his ungloved hands. Shortly after, the man was violently pushed back by another gendarme who pinned him against a wall and kneed him in the legs.
"In the action and under the tension, we thought that this man had come to attack us and my comrade pushed him aside and dealt him a technical blow. This demonstrator or street medic had come to help. I did not immediately understand what he had come to do there, I was completely concentrated on a difficult maneuver and at the same time, my pants were burning," Captain Alexandre told AFP.
“I am really grateful for what he did, I would have liked to be able to thank him,” adds the mobile gendarme.
Furthermore, the Paris prosecutor's office reported 105 arrests on Sunday, including 88 linked to Saturday's demonstrations and 17 for Halloween night.
The public prosecutor, requested by the AFP, counts 89 people in police custody in Paris, including 61 adults and 22 minors. The date of birth remains to be determined for six other people.
© 2026 AFP
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