At least 150 arrests in violent protests over France police killing

Mass protests, following the killing of a teenager, have led to at least 150 people being arrested across France. 

France has been dealing with a second night of protests which were caused by the fatal shooting of Nahel M. The 17-year-old was shot dead at point-blank range as he refused a traffic stop and attempted to drive away. 

The officer accused of killing Nahel, who said he had fired because he felt his life was in danger, is in custody on charges of voluntary manslaughter.

It has been reported by the Reuters news agency that Nahel came from a French-Algerian family and a tally from the agency found most of those killed by police in traffic stops in France since 2017 were black or Arab. 

In Nanterre, where the teen was killed, vehicles were set on fire and police responded to the violence with tear gas. 

French President Emmanuel Macron has called the violence “unjustifiable” and has held crisis meetings 

French government spokesperson Olivier Veran said his thoughts go to Nahel’s family and friends and “to the whole of France, who has been marked by this event.”

“Last night’s reactions are not intended to heal or to bring about justice, but instead they attack our republic,” he told French TV channel BFMTV.

“But it’s not the republic that is currently in custody; the republic did not kill this young man, nor is the police responsible for what happened.

“A man needs to be brought to justice for what happened, should the justice system deem it necessary. And it’s our republic that guarantees that, should this person be found guilty, they will be punished.”