Justice Ministry: 70% of adults among 2,500 held after French riots

Following violent unrest and looting in several French cities on October 17 and 18, the Justice Ministry reports that 70% of those in custody are adults and 30% are minors, a reversal from recent protests. The government is advocating for a firm penal response. Ministry spokesman Sacha Straub-Kahn told RTL that over 2,500 people are currently in custody, with most already known to police or judicial services. He argued that repeat offenders, unlike first-time thieves, warrant prison sentences. The violence damaged over 1,500 shops, according to the Federation of Commerce and Distribution. President Emmanuel Macron vowed that perpetrators would pay, and the spokesman noted that convictions are just beginning.