UPDATE 2 - France on 'maximum level of vigilance' ahead of Oct. 24 demonstrations

ADDS FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS

By Necva Tastan Sevinc and Ilayda Cakirtekin

ISTANBUL (AA) - France’s minister delegate to the Interior Ministry warned Thursday that authorities were remaining on high alert ahead of nationwide demonstrations planned for Oct. 24.

“We are at a maximum level of vigilance,” Jean-Didier Berger told broadcaster BFMTV.

He said the government “absolutely rules nothing out in the coming days and weeks” if it deems it necessary to ban gatherings or cultural and sporting events.

Berger also said the deployment of security forces on Saturday would be “20% higher” than on Oct. 17.

“We have canceled leave. We have recalled people who were supposed to be on leave and who will no longer be,” he said.

Operation Sentinelle, GIGN and RAID elite forces will also be deployed.

President Emmanuel Macron later announced at a security council meeting that demonstrations not organized by trade unions would be banned for the coming days and in particular for Oct. 24 "wherever possible."

Prefects would examine union requests and propose alternative routes to protect city centers, businesses and public buildings. Government spokesperson Maud Bregeon said restrictions on non-union demonstrations would be decided case by case.

Paris police announced a curfew covering adults and minors around Place de la Republique and Les Halles from 11 pm to 6 am starting Thursday evening until Sunday.

The Louvre, Orsay and Picasso museums will remain closed Saturday.

Authorities approved a Paris march from Bastille to Nation along the CGT union’s proposed route. The Yellow Vests coordination will join after its Bastille-to-Opera route was rejected.

Demonstrations were banned across Lyon, in central Toulon and in parts of Lille for Saturday. A curfew for unaccompanied minors will apply in central Toulon from Saturday evening until Sunday morning.

A Paris administrative court suspended a ban on a demonstration Thursday by the Interfac (inter-university/inter-faculty) student movement. Police subsequently ordered the gathering to remain stationary on Boulevard de l’Hopital.

Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin said 2,700 people had been placed in police custody since Saturday and 217 had been jailed. He instructed prosecutors to seek additional penalties, including demonstration bans, temporary deprivation of civic rights and social media bans.

Macron will meet with high school student representatives Friday, while Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu is due to meet with university student organizations Monday.

Authorities also urged shopkeepers to secure premises and check surveillance systems. Paris police recommended private security guards accompanied by canine teams where appropriate.

Nationwide protests took place on Oct. 17 over the cost of living and fuel prices involving demonstrators from the Yellow Vest movement and students. Authorities reported damage to businesses and public buildings, prompting localized curfews in several cities.

Further demonstrations are planned Saturday, while unions have called a nationwide strike and protest day for Nov. 5.

Necva Taştan Sevinç,İlayda Çakırtekin