Police Arrest 300 in Paris Riots Over Economic Crisis

MORE than 300 rioters were arrested in Paris as baton-wielding gangs clashed with police in protests over President Nicolas Sarkozy's handling of the financial crisis.

At least 10 police officers were seriously injured in the Place de la Nation, in the east of the French capital, where 85,000 people completed a largely peaceful protest.

Nationally, some three million showed their anger at President Sarkozy.
As fires were lit and shop windows smashed soon after 8pm last night, riot police unleashed rounds of tear gas at a mob of about 750 youths.

Fighting broke out on all corners of the square, with police snatch squads moving in to arrest ring leaders. Chants of "Sarkozy resign" were heard, as what appeared to be well organised gangs went on the rampage in surrounding streets, targeting banks and other symbols of capitalism.

By midnight there had been at least 300 arrests, with 49 charged with serious public order offences.

Read more...