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France arrests 14 over vicious New Year's attack on police

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AFP Paris

welve men and two women were arrested today over a brutal attack on two officers called to a New Year's Eve party in a Paris suburb, an assault that shocked France after a video of the female officer's beating circulated on social media.

The government vowed to crack down on urban violence after the attack, which occurred after the officers became separated from the bulk of the force intervening to halt a party in Champigny-sur-Marne, east of the capital.

They had had been called to clear 300 to 400 people attempting to see in 2018 at an unauthorised warehouse party. Footage that soon went viral showed the 25-year-old policewoman writhing on the floor as she was kicked by the crowd, as well as revellers flipping over a car.

 

The 14 people arrested, aged 16 to 20, are suspected of striking the officer, filming the scene or not aiding a person in danger, police sources told AFP.

During searches of their homes, some suspects were found with clothes worn by people seen in the video of the attack, and a pellet-filled grenade which police suspect was taken from the scene, sources close to the inquiry said.

Some of the suspects were known to security forces.

"All those responsible have been arrested," Interior Minister Gerard Collomb told LCI television.

The policewoman's fellow officer, a 48-year-old captain, had his nose broken after being punched in the face, but the assault was not filmed, and investigators have not found his attackers.

The incident prompted an outcry over violence against the police, along with demonstrations by officers calling for more resources and tougher penalties for delinquents.

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First Published: Apr 10 2018 | 5:05 PM IST

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