These Videos Do Not Depict the Recent Riots Occurring in France
The Claim
France is burning. The train network is paralyzed. Israel issued a warning that the one behind the acts of terrorism is Iran. But in France, which is scared of Islamic terrorism, they prefer to blame Russia.
News posted on
Emerging story
Recently, social media users have been circulating a video claiming to show a chaotic scene in France, with fires raging everywhere. Additionally, Israel has cautioned that Iran is allegedly linked to these acts of terrorism.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar investigated the circulating videos and found the claim to be misleading.
Video of 2023 France Riots After Teenager’s Police Killing
Misbar's team found that the video is not recent and dates back to June 2023, during the riots in the French capital triggered by the police shooting of 17-year-old Nahel.
By conducting a reverse image search, we discovered that the first video was released in June 2023 and depicts a shopping mall on the outskirts of Paris set ablaze during the riots.
Another video, released in June 2023, captures the aftermath of the confrontation between French police and rioters.
Unrest in France After Police Shooting of Teenager
A news article from Al Jazeera reported that young rioters clashed with police, targeting a mayor’s home with a burning car as France entered its fifth night of unrest following the police shooting of a teenager of North African descent. Despite this, the level of violence appeared to have decreased compared to earlier nights.
In response, tens of thousands of police were deployed across the country on Saturday after the funeral of Nahel M. in the Paris suburb of Nanterre. Authorities made more than 700 arrests nationwide in an effort to manage France's most significant social upheaval in years. Since the unrest began, rioters have set fire to 2,000 vehicles, and over 200 police officers have sustained injuries, with the average age of those arrested being 17.
Nahel, a 17-year-old with Algerian and Moroccan heritage, was shot by a police officer during a traffic stop on Tuesday in Nanterre. At his funeral, several hundred people lined up to enter Nanterre’s grand mosque, while volunteers in yellow vests provided security, and a few dozen bystanders watched from across the street.
The shooting, which was recorded on video, has reignited longstanding complaints from marginalized and racially diverse urban communities about police violence and racism. The Nanterre prosecutor noted that Nahel was known to police for previously ignoring traffic stop orders and was illegally driving a rental car at the time of the incident.
Sabotage Disrupts France TGV Rail Network Before Olympic Opening Ceremony
France’s high-speed TGV rail network experienced significant disruptions due to "malicious acts" on the day of the Paris Olympics opening ceremony. According to state-owned railway operator SNCF, there were arson attacks aimed at damaging their facilities, which occurred overnight as “simultaneous malicious acts.”
French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal stated on X that the nation's intelligence services have been activated to identify those responsible, branding the incidents as “acts of sabotage” that were “prepared and coordinated.” Transport Minister Patrice Vergriete condemned the “massive attack” on the rail network as an “outrageous criminal act,” describing scenes of individuals fleeing from the fires and the recovery of incendiary devices at various locations.
SNCF announced that many routes would need to be canceled “at least all weekend while repairs are conducted,” and thousands of rail staff have been mobilized to address the damage.
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