Paris protests spread to Switzerland and Belgium with 'Justice for Nahel' chants

02 July 2023 , 20:15

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Paris protests spread to Switzerland and Belgium with 'Justice for Nahel' chants

Protests over the killing of a French teenager at the hands of police have spread to neighbouring Belgium and Switzerland, as Emmanuel Macron delayed an official visit to deal with the crisis.

Clashes broke out with officers as people in the Swiss city of Lausanne held a demonstration over the death of 17-year-old Nahel Merzouk at the weekend.

The French teenager, who is of Moroccan and Algerian descent, was gunned down during a traffic stop in the Paris banlieues on Tuesday, with the shooting called "inexcusable" by French President Macron.

The tragedy had prompted outrage from the nation, with several protests culminating in cars being burned and buildings attacked.

Molotov cocktails were reportedly used during the Lausanne protest in the early hours of Sunday morning, while witnesses described seeing bricks thrown and windows smashed.

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Police officers intervene in protesters during a protest against the death of 17-year-old Nahel (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

A statement issued by Swiss police said "more than a hundred youths gathered in central Lausanne and damaged businesses" in events which echoed "the events and riots raging in France".

Protesters also clashed with police in the Belgian capital of Brussels on Thursday, where police arrested 64 people.

Rioters were seen chanting ‘Justice for Nahel’

The grandmother of 17-year-old Nahel Merzouk (pictured) said rioters were using his death as an 'excuse'

Nahel's grandmother, Nadia, has since called for an end to the riots, claiming many were using her grandson's death as an excuse.

"My daughter is lost... She doesn't have a life any more," she told BFMTV.

"Don't destroy the schools, don't destroy the buses. They are other mothers who take these buses."

President Macron postponed a state visit to Germany that was due to begin on Sunday to deal with the growing crisis.

The worst disorder overnight on Saturday to Sunday was in Marseille (GETTY)

Some 45,000 extra police have been placed on the streets, but this did not stop further trouble in cities and towns from Paris to Marseille.

The worst disorder overnight on Saturday to Sunday was in Marseille, where police fired tear gas and fought street battles with youths around the city centre late into the night.

The officer responsible for shooting Mr Merzouk – identified as Florian M., 38 – remains on remand having been charged with murder.

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