An American man was arrested after allegedly participating in a violent attack on police during a violent protest in Paris, authorities said.
An American man was arrested after allegedly participating in a violent attack on police during a violent protest in Paris, authorities said.
The 27-year-old man, whose identity wasn't immediately released, was given preliminary charges of attempted murder after he was allegedly caught on video smashing and torching a police car while two officers were inside, the Associated Press reported.
Four other people face various preliminary charges in the incident, in which the protestors caught on camera were masked.
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The man allegedly admitted to being at the May 18 protest when violence erupted, but said he did not participate in the attack, prosecutors told the AP.
He is suspected of throwing a post at the windshield of the car.
The man has no fixed address and is in custody, prosecutors told the AP.
Tensions between police and protestors have been on the rise for months amid demonstrations against a bill that weakens worker protections. Police were holding a protest of their own to speak out against violence during labor demonstrations when about 15 counter-demonstrators allegedly targeted the cop car.
The officer in the driver's seat fought off attackers when he got out of the vehicle. He was later hospitalized and subsequently given an award by the interior minister. His female partner suffered slight injuries.
Protestors reportedly claim that police have instigated confrontations by using tear gas, water cannon, batons and pepper spray, AP wrote.
The U.S. Embassy in Paris had no comment.
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