Assaults on Prisons Escalate in France as Investigations Launched

In a concerning rise in violence, several prisons in France, including one near Toulon, were targeted with arson and gunfire, leading authorities to launch a detailed investigation amidst claims of organized crime involvement.

Attackers launched an assault on a prison near Toulon, France, overnight from Monday to Tuesday, resulting in vehicle fires and gunfire directed at the prison walls, according to French authorities and union representatives. Thankfully, there were no reported casualties from these violent incidents. The prison worker union, FO Justice, shared images on social media showcasing bullet holes in the prison's walls, indicating that similar attacks had occurred in various regions across the country.

France's counterterrorism prosecutor announced the initiation of an investigation into the violent events, which reportedly began on Sunday. Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin expressed his support for the officers at the Toulon-La Farlède prison, indicating plans to visit the site. Darmanin alleged that drug traffickers were likely behind the coordinated attacks.

French newspaper Le Monde reported that in addition to Toulon, there had been assaults in Villepinte, Nanterre, Valence, and Marseille, suggesting a widespread pattern of criminal activity targeting correctional facilities. "Prisons are facing intimidation attempts ranging from the burning of vehicles to automatic gunfire," Darmanin stated via social media, stressing that the nation must confront the escalating issues tied to drug trafficking and take decisive actions to dismantle these networks.

Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau condemned the attacks, labeling the perpetrators as thugs, and directed authorities to enhance security at prisons to safeguard both infrastructures and the individuals working within them. In light of ongoing issues, the country’s official prison oversight body had previously warned about overcrowding, unsanitary conditions, and increased violence in its correctional facilities.