France PM to extend anti-vandalism laws after violence on riots anniversary News
France PM to extend anti-vandalism laws after violence on riots anniversary

[JURIST] French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin [official website, in French; JURIST news archive] promised Monday to extend the scope of anti-vandalism laws following the burnings of some 200 vehicles over the weekend. After an emergency meeting on transportation security, de Villepin said the laws should be modified [press release, in French] to punish not only the perpetrators of such attacks, but also those who are "involved in and encourage" them.

The current violence, which left a 26-year-old bus passenger severely burned [Guardian report], broke out around the first anniversary of widespread riots among immigrant youths [JURIST news archive] in the Paris suburbs and elsewhere, which led to the burning of some 10,000 vehicles and the firebombing of about 300 buildings. BBC News has more. From Paris, Le Figaro has local coverage, in French.