In brief
On Saturday, French police arrested 779 demonstrators across the country, with 320,000 participants nationwide and 70,000 in Paris. A homemade explosive blew up near a security officer, prompting an attempted‑murder investigation. The arrest figures come from the Interior Ministry, cited by BFM TV.
French authorities announced that 779 protesters were arrested during Saturday’s nationwide march against the rising cost of living, according to the Interior Ministry, citing figures reported by television channel BFM TV on Sunday. The move comes amid a wave of demonstrations that drew roughly 320,000 participants across France and 70,000 in Paris alone as of 5 p.m. (1600 GMT).
Despite the largely peaceful nature of most marches, tensions flared in several cities. In Paris, a homemade explosive device detonated near the feet of a security officer at Porte de Charenton in the 12th arrondissement, leaving the officer slightly injured.
The Paris prosecutor’s office opened an investigation on suspicion of attempted murder following the incident, the Interior Ministry said.
Xinhua reported that the 779‑arrest figure was provided by the Interior Ministry after being relayed by BFM TV, a French television channel that covered the protests on Sunday.
