719 arrested during overnight protests in France: Interior Ministry

ISTANBUL (AA) - Police arrested at least 719 people overnight in France amid violent protests sparked by the killing of a teen by police, the Interior Ministry said early Sunday.

At least 45 police officers and gendarmes were injured and at least 719 people were arrested during the protests, the ministry said in a statement.

Some 45,000 police and gendarmes, as well as thousands of firefighters, were mobilized during the night throughout the country, it added.

Earlier on Sunday, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said on Twitter: “Quieter night thanks to the resolute action of the police.”

The nationwide protests over the killing of Nahel M., a 17-year-old teenager of Algerian descent, continue to shake France.

Nahel was shot at point-blank range by an officer on Tuesday in the Paris suburb of Nanterre.

The officer faces a formal investigation for voluntary homicide and has been placed in preliminary detention.​​​​​​​