War memorials on French island of Martinique destroyed

By Alaattin Dogru

ANKARA (AA) – Several war memorials have been destroyed on France's Caribbean island of Martinique, where efforts to tackle COVID-19 sparked violent protests, a local government official said on Monday.

Stanislas Cazelles, the prefect for Martinique island, said in a statement that war memorials in the Francois, Ducos, and Riviere-Salee districts of the island were destroyed by unidentified people early Sunday.

Cazelles expressed his anger and sadness, condemning the attack.

Separately, Francois Mayor Samuel Tavernier expressed his shock at the vandalism that obliterated these symbols of collective memory.

While the incident is being investigated, the municipalities of the affected districts have filed a criminal complaint.

Martinique came to the fore with violent protests and looting that started on Nov. 22 against COVID-19 restrictions.

Following the incident, the island governor imposed a night curfew, launched an investigation, and detained 12 of 50 people accused of vandalism.

* Writing by Seda Sevencan in Istanbul​​​​​​​