Almost simultaneously, gang members fired automatic weapons at nine detention centers in France. The attacks are likely a response to measures the government is now planning to take against drug gangs.

France’s Justice Minister Darmanin described the attacks as a “frontal attack on the republic” and announced a decisive response from the state – the series of coordinated attacks on detention centers affected nine prisons in Toulon, Marseille, Aix-en-Provence, Valence, Nîmes, Luynes, Villepinte, Nanterre and Agen.

“Droits des Prisonniers Français”

In Toulon, unknown persons fired at the prison gate with automatic weapons, leaving 15 bullet holes. In several cases, vehicles belonging to prison staff were set on fire in the prison parking lots. Graffiti with the abbreviation “DDPF” (“Droits des Prisonniers Français” – Rights of French Prisoners) and anarchist slogans were found at the scenes of the crimes.

Against drug trafficking in prisons

The French authorities suspect that the attacks are a response to planned government measures against drug trafficking in prison. Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin had previously announced that particularly dangerous drug traffickers would be placed in special high-security wings and that a public prosecutor specializing in drug trafficking would be set up. The anti-terrorism prosecutor has opened an investigation to clarify the background to the attacks.

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Grok