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French teen loses hand in grenade blast during school blockade in Lens; police watchdog opens probe
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On October 5, a 15-year-old boy had his hand torn off during a blockade of the Béhal high school in Lens, France, as part of a student protest movement. The prefect of Pas-de-Calais, François-Xavier Lauch, confirmed the incident in a press conference. The public prosecutor of Béthune, Etienne Thieffry, announced that an investigation has been opened by the police watchdog IGPN for violence resulting in mutilation and permanent disability, to clarify the sequence of events. Le Monde authenticated multiple videos from the scene and interviewed a witness who described an explosion consistent with a GM2L grenade, a particularly dangerous device used by French police forces. The witness was in shock. The investigation aims to determine the exact circumstances of the injury.
Source report
Authorities launch investigation into incident involving police grenade
During a press briefing on October 5, the prefect of Pas-de-Calais, François-Xavier Lauch, reported that a 15-year-old student lost his hand while participating in a blockade of the Béhal high school in Lens on the same day.
The public prosecutor of Béthune, Etienne Thieffry, announced that he has assigned the Inspectorate General of the National Police (IGPN) to conduct an investigation into "violence resulting in mutilation and permanent disability, in order to shed full light on the chronology and circumstances of the events."
Le Monde has reviewed and authenticated numerous images filmed near the Béhal high school in Lens on October 5. The publication also interviewed a witness who observed the teenager's injury. The witness, who remains in shock, described the explosion of an object matching a GM2L grenade—a particularly dangerous device used by French law enforcement.
Source
Politique : Toute l’actualité sur Le Monde.fr.Western
Part of this Story
French teen loses hand to police grenade during school protest in Lens