France: Donations pour in for officer who killed Nahel as mayors hold anti-riot rallies
Donations for a policeman whose killing of a teenager sparked nationwide protests in France topped more than $1m on Monday, as mayors called for rallies opposing nearly a week of nationwide riots.
The online fund, set up by far-right media commentator Jean Messiha, has caused outrage among the family and several politicians and supporters of the murdered 17-year-old Nahel Merzouk.
More than 40,000 people contributed to the now $1.07m fund, which easily surpassed the $206,000 gathered for Merzouk's family.
Merzouk was killed on 28 June by a gunshot to the chest during a roadside check by the police officer in Nanterre, west of the capital, after reportedly refusing to comply with orders from the officer. The officer has been charged with voluntary manslaughter.
Merzouk's grandmother said she was "heartbroken" by the support shown for the police officer when she was asked about it on Sunday.
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"He took the life of my grandson. This man must pay, the same as everyone," she told the French BFM TV channel.
She also called for the riots to stop, saying Merzouk's death was being used as an excuse to cause havoc and the family wanted calm.
Several politicians from the centrist ruling party and the left-wing opposition condemned the donations launched by Messiha, who is close to anti-Islam politician Eric Zemmour, as "shameful" and "scandalous".
Merzouk's death has revived longstanding accusations of racism within the French police force.
At least 3,200 people have been arrested in relation to the unrest, which has seen hundreds of cars, several schools, police stations, town halls and stores targeted by fire or vandalism in recent days.
Relative calm
As tension appeared to ease on Monday, anti-riot rallies were held at French town halls, following a call on the public by mayors and elected officials to mobilise "for a return to republican order".
The call had come after the home of the conservative mayor of L'Hay-les-Roses outside Paris, Vincent Jeanbrun, was rammed with a flaming car.
The unusual personal attack on a mayor’s home was condemned across the political spectrum, and prosecutors have opened an attempted murder investigation.
In a statement, an association of mayors said that areas "everywhere in France are the scene of serious unrest, which targets republican symbols with extreme violence".
The Elysee said President Emmanuel Macron will meet mayors of more than 220 towns hit by the unrest, which has mostly been confined to the suburbs, although there have been occasional confrontations in tourist areas of Paris.
Fewer than 160 people were arrested during the night, down from over 700 arrests the night before and over 1,300 on Friday night.
According to Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, the average age among those arrested since Tuesday was 17 and some were "children, there is no other word, of 12 or 13".
Hundreds of police and firefighters have been wounded in the violence, including three officers overnight, however authorities have not said how many protesters have been hurt.
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