UPDATE - France opens 83 investigations into alleged police misconduct during high school protests

ADDS PARTIAL CURFEW IN PARIS; CHANGES DECK

By Seyma Erkul Dayanc

ISTANBUL (AA) - French authorities have opened 83 investigations into alleged misconduct by the police and gendarmerie since the start of the high school protest movement, broadcaster Franceinfo reported Friday.

The cases have been entrusted to the General Inspectorate of the National Police and the General Inspectorate of the National Gendarmerie, the bodies responsible for investigating conduct within the two forces.

The investigations were opened amid demonstrations and school blockades that have taken place across France as part of the student mobilization.

The figure covers cases referred to the two inspectorates since the beginning of the movement.

Further nationwide demonstrations are planned for Saturday despite government concessions on education funding, staffing and university admissions.

Paris police have reintroduced a partial nighttime curfew for the All Saints’ Day holiday weekend, newspaper Le Parisien reported Friday.

The restrictions will apply from 11 pm to 6 am local time (2200-0500GMT) on the nights of Oct. 31-Nov. 1 and Nov. 1-2, covering the central pedestrian area of Place de la Republique and the area around the Canopee des Halles in central Paris.

The curfew does not apply to residents who can prove they live within or near the restricted areas, workers required to cross them and public service personnel.

The curfew returns after restrictions imposed following violence and looting during the Oct. 17-18 protests were lifted earlier this week.

Şeyma Erkul Dayanç