French police open 36 violence probes after teenagers suffer 'war-like injuries' in school protest crackdown

French police have opened 36 investigations into alleged officer violence following a wave of high school protests that has now stretched into its fourth week. Among those injured is Evan, a 15-year-old carpentry student who lost his left hand and several fingers from his right hand when a stun grenade detonated during a demonstration in Lens on 5 October. Bertrand Wattez, his lawyer, said Evan's injuries "resemble war injuries." Hundreds of high schools across France have been blockaded by students demanding that vacant teaching posts be filled and deteriorating buildings fixed. Interior minister Laurent Nuñez told the French Senate that four of the 36 cases under internal review involve children reportedly "mutilated" by explosive weapons — the biggest youth protest movement the country has seen in decades.

Bertrand Wattez says Evan arrived at school for lessons, encountered a protest already in progress, and played no part in any violence — a direct contradiction of the prosecutors' account.

More than 8,000 people have been arrested in recent weeks, the great majority of them under 18, with lawyers describing an unprecedented number of minors held in custody.

Prime minister Sébastien Lecornu has alleged that student grievances are being exploited ahead of next year's presidential election, while yellow vest activists are calling on protesters to join further demonstrations planned for Saturday.