Paris court holds dozens of trials after Saturday riots

Dozens of immediate appearance trials were held Tuesday at the Paris judicial court following Saturday's riots, with proceedings marked by tension and organizational chaos. The court operated in crisis mode, using four courtrooms instead of the usual two to handle around sixty cases in a single afternoon. Paris accounted for 35% of France's 2,400 arrests on Saturday, creating a congested and confused atmosphere. Lawyers expressed concerns about expedited justice, citing pressure from Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin demanding firmness. Some defendants received jail time, including a 20-year-old carrying a knife and a Tunisian man who threw projectiles at police. Defense attorneys challenged the severity of prosecutions, with one lawyer alleging political influence behind harsh sentencing demands. A man accused of looting claimed "group effect" and police brutality, while another defendant with 14 pillaging videos on his phone faced a two-year prison request.