Germany expresses concern over violent protests in France

By Erbil Basay

BERLIN (AA) - Germany expressed concern on Friday about the violent protests in France that erupted following the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old boy by police.

Steffen Hebestreit, the German government spokesperson, said at a news conference in Berlin that the government is concerned about the current happenings in France.

Recalling that the French government strongly condemned the June 27 killing of Nahel M. by police in the Paris suburb of Nanterre, the spokesman noted that French President Emmanuel Macron and his government are working to resolve the matter.

In response to a question about whether Macron's planned visit to Germany would be canceled because of the current situation in France, he said there is no information yet.

The French president is scheduled to pay an official visit to Germany on July 2-4 and is expected to hold talks with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

- Killing of Nahel M.

France has seen a wave of violent protests since a police officer shot dead Nahel M. in the Paris suburb of Nanterre.

Protests began in Nanterre and spread to other cities the next evening, including Lyon, Toulouse, Lille, and Marseille. However, tensions rose on Thursday following clashes between police and protesters.

A solemn march was organized in Nanterre to pay tribute to Nahel, led by his mother.

On Thursday, 500 public buildings and 1,900 vehicles were set on fire and 3,880 arsons were detected across the country.

Police arrested more than 800 people on charges of damaging and vandalizing public property, street furniture, arsons, and plundering.

*Nur Asena Erturk in Ankara contributed to this story