‘Threat exists’: Paris police warn of possible unrest ahead of protests

By Melike Pala

BRUSSELS (AA) - Paris police remained on alert Saturday over possible unrest in the French capital, with a police spokesperson warning that "the threat exists" following violent incidents last week.

Speaking to French broadcaster BFMTV, Paris Police Prefecture spokesperson Helene Denechere said authorities were taking the threat seriously and closely assessing the security situation ahead of planned demonstrations.

"The threat exists, it is being taken into consideration. Very serious acts were committed on Saturday, of a scale and violence that was underestimated. Today, it is being assessed," Denechere said.

She acknowledged that authorities had underestimated the scale of the mobilization and the severity of the violence during demonstrations on Oct. 17.

Denechere also said police have seized dangerous objects, including fireworks mortars, during security checks across the Ile-de-France region ahead of the protests.

- Disagreement over demonstration route

Paris police and trade unions remained at odds over the route of Saturday's demonstration in the capital.

The police prefecture on Friday banned a previously agreed route between Place de la Bastille and Place de la Nation.

Instead, authorities proposed an alternative route between Porte d'Italie and Porte de Vincennes via the Boulevards des Marechaux, according to a police decree.

The decree authorized the demonstration to take place from 1 pm local time (1100GMT) to 7 pm.

An inter-union group representing trade unions and youth organizations in the Ile-de-France region rejected the proposed route, calling the demand "unacceptable" in a statement.

- 24 metro stations closed

Paris public transport operator RATP said 24 metro stations were ordered closed from 9 am Saturday at the request of police, citing security concerns.

Demonstrations were also authorized in eight major French cities, including Lille, Strasbourg, Mulhouse, Grenoble, Marseille, Toulouse and Amiens.

In Marseille, law enforcement officers were deployed around the city's Old Port ahead of the demonstration.

French students and Yellow Vests protesters planned to hold "Act II" demonstrations following mass protests on Oct. 17 over cost-of-living issues, including high fuel prices.

An estimated 500,000 to 800,000 people participated in demonstrations across France last week, resulting in more than 2,500 arrests as some protests turned violent, with rioting and looting reported.