Suspect arrested after historic town hall set alight during disorder - French media
A suspect linked to a far-left movement has been arrested in France after a 19th Century city hall was gutted by a fire over the weekend that broke out during mass disorder, French media report.
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Figure caption: By Jacob Phillips
Published: 20 October 2026, 07:35 BST Updated: 6 minutes ago
The 40-year-old suspect is known for acts of violence against public officials and has been classified as an "S" subject, meaning he is a potential threat to national security, FranceInfo reported.
Over 120 people have already been imprisoned following widespread demonstrations across France, French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin told CNews-Europe.
Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets to protest against rising fuel prices, the cost of living and deteriorating public services, including schools.
Darmanin said he asked prosecutors to be "extremely firm" and "ruthless" towards those who attacked police officers, gendarmes and firefighters, looted shops, and attacked public buildings.
The justice minister insisted France did not need to be put into a state of emergency which would "deprive all French people of their individual freedoms."
But French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu earlier said he had not ruled out imposing a state of emergency.
Curfews were introduced across parts of central Paris and other cities on Monday, contributing to a quiet night following the disorder, Lecornu said.
Further curfews on Tuesday night would be decided depending on where they were necessary, he added, with decisions made "on the ground" by French regions and local mayors.
Earlier, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez admitted police had "lost control" in some cities. He was strongly criticised by opposition politicians over authorities' preparedness for the disorder, leading him to offer his resignation on Monday, which was rejected by President Emmanuel Macron.
More than 2,500 people have been arrested since the disorder began, officials said on Monday. One demonstrator's hand was blown off by a police crowd-control grenade, according to AFP. About 1,000 police officers were injured.
Protests first began last month with students demanding better school conditions but they have escalated to take in a broader range of concerns with numbers at demonstrations bolstered by trade unions and various protest groups.