Eighteen people were arrested on Tuesday, September 26, after the fire which completely destroyed the town hall of Persan (Val-d’Oise) and damaged the neighboring municipal police station on the night of June 30 to July 1, 2023, announced the public prosecutor of Pontoise, Pierre Sennès, in a press release.
These damages took place during the riots which followed the death of Nahel M. The 17-year-old young man was killed on June 27, 2023 by a police officer in Nanterre (Hauts-de-Seine), causing a wave of national indignation .
Several searches were carried out at their home. “During the time of police custody, the hearings, [the] confrontations and [the] technical and scientific examinations will make it possible to clarify the charges that can be brought against the accused,” specified the prosecutor.
As of August 1, 2023, 2,107 people have been tried and 1,989 have been convicted. 90% of these convictions correspond to “a prison sentence”, according to the Ministry of Justice.
At the beginning of July, France Assureurs, the professional federation of insurers, estimated that the damage linked to urban violence which followed the death of Nahel M. would cost insurance companies 650 million. Damage to businesses and public establishments represents 90% of the estimated cost.