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Clashes broke out for a second day in Paris on Saturday between police and Kurdish protestors angry at the killing of three members of their community.

/ France

ATTACK IN PARIS

Violence erupts at protests against 'racist' attack on Kurds

Issued on: 24/12/2022 - 15:19

Protesters stand behind flames during clashes following a demonstration of members of the Kurdish community, a day after a gunman opened fire at a Kurdish cultural centre killing three people, at Place de la République in Paris on December 24, 2022.01:16

Protesters stand behind flames during clashes following a demonstration of members of the Kurdish community, a day after a gunman opened fire at a Kurdish cultural centre killing three people, at Place de la République in Paris on December 24, 2022. © Julien De Rosa, AFP

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FRANCE 24

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Liza KAMINOV

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Clashes broke out for a second day in Paris on Saturday between police and Kurdish protestors angry at the killing of three members of their community.

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Cars were overturned, at least one vehicle was burned, shop windows were damaged and small fires set alight near Place de la République, a traditional venue for demonstrations where Kurds earlier held a peaceful protest.

Paris police chief Laurent Nunez said there had been a sudden violent turn in the protest but it was not yet clear why.

Speaking on news channel BFM TV, Nunez said a few dozen protestors were responsible for the violence, adding there had been 11 arrests and around 30 minor injuries.

As some demonstrators left the square they threw projectiles at police who responded with tear gas. Skirmishes continued for around two hours before the protestors dispersed.

A gunman carried out the killings at a Kurdish cultural centre and nearby cafe on Friday in a busy part of Paris' 10th district, stunning a community preparing to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the unresolved murder of three activists.

Police arrested a 69-year-old man who the authorities said had recently been freed from detention while awaiting trial for a sabre attack on a migrant camp in Paris a year ago.

Following questioning of the suspect, investigators had added a suspected racist motive to initial accusations of murder and violence with weapons, the prosecutor's office said on Saturday.

The suspect's custody was subsequently lifted for health reasons and he was taken to a police psychiatric unit, according to the prosecutor.