Despite the ban confirmed by the Conseil d’État, 97 far-left and far-right militants were arrested Saturday in Paris amid unauthorized gatherings.
Police carried out 97 arrests across several districts of the capital, including 46 people held in custody. Those detained face charges of participating in a group with intent to commit violence, group violence and carrying prohibited weapons such as knives and batons.
The Paris police prefecture also issued fines to 182 people for violating the ban order. It cited risks to public order, referencing the death of a militant in Lyon in February and Nazi salutes observed at prior events.
Both the Comité du 9 Mai demonstration and its antifascist counter-protest had been prohibited. A group spokesperson, Raphaël Ayma, criticized the decision outside the Justice Ministry, arguing it undermined the right to demonstrate.
