Paris Police Seek Investigation Into Mayor Bally Bagayoko
Mayor Bally Bagayoko faces a potential incitement investigation after acting as a human shield for student protesters during nationwide school unrest in France.
Paris police have requested a prosecutorial investigation into Bally Bagayoko, the far-left mayor of Saint-Denis, for incitement. The request follows a statement by Bagayoko that "violence can be legitimate at a certain point" amid student protests that have spread from Saint-Denis across France.
Bagayoko has become a central figure in the unrest, physically intervening in standoffs between students and riot police to act as a human shield. While protesters celebrate his actions, right-leaning politicians and critics accuse him of fueling chaos, which has manifested as arson and school blockades. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu has specifically accused the far-left party La France Insoumise of orchestrating the protests.
The unrest is driven by student grievances regarding teacher absenteeism, poor facilities, long school days, and the university admissions system. The French government reports that 43 police officers were injured and 488 people were arrested during the demonstrations. In response to the violence, the interior ministry announced that police will no longer use stun grenades against students.
