France meets protests planned for Saturday with mobilization of military forces

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced that the government is carrying out a large-scale mobilization for the protest demonstrations planned for Saturday. According to the Prime Minister, military units will be deployed to protect government buildings so that the resources of the police and gendarmerie can be fully freed up to restore order. Lecornu noted that the government will not allow radical groups to march toward the residences of the President and the Prime Minister. Radio Tavisupleba+3

In Paris and Lyon, as well as other cities, a nighttime curfew is in effect. According to the Paris police, the restrictions cover the areas surrounding the Place de la République and Les Halles. In Lyon, the prefect of the Rhône department, Étienne Guillon, made the decision to extend the curfew and the ban on gatherings. Furthermore, in Paris, gatherings are prohibited in the areas surrounding the Élysée Palace, the National Assembly, the Senate, and the Champs-Élysées avenue. 1TV+4

The French government acknowledged that the security operation during last weekend's protest actions was "too static." Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez apologized for the mistakes made. Lecornu blamed ultra-left radical groups for organizing the unrest. Protest participants, in addition to the education reform, are demanding amnesty for those detained and the resignation of President Emmanuel Macron. Radio Tavisupleba+3

Data regarding the number of detainees varies: radiotavisupleba writes about the detention of up to 1,800 people, while according to rustavi2, the number of detainees exceeds 2,500. Information regarding the deceased is also different: radiotavisupleba reports the death of one demonstrator, while according to information from rustavi2, two men died during the period of the protests. Radio Tavisupleba+2