Authorities vow to reinforce prison security amid a wave of assaults.
**Violent Assaults on French Prisons Highlight Growing Criminal Threats**
**Violent Assaults on French Prisons Highlight Growing Criminal Threats**
French authorities launch investigations into prison attacks attributed to drug trafficking groups.
In the early hours of Tuesday morning, a prison near Toulon, France became the latest target in a series of violent attacks aimed at correctional facilities across the nation. Armed assailants reportedly set vehicles on fire and fired shots at the prison walls, as stated by local law enforcement and a prison workers' union. Thankfully, no injuries were reported.
Images shared by the FO Justice union depicted bullet-riddled walls, indicating the severity of the attacks which reportedly began on Sunday night. Locations affected included not only Toulon, but also prisons in Villepinte, Nanterre, Valence, and Marseille. The French counterterrorism prosecutor has announced an inquiry into these coordinated acts of aggression.
Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, who intends to visit the affected prison, indicated that these attacks were likely orchestrated by drug trafficking networks. “The republic is confronting significant challenges from drug trafficking, and measures will be put in place to dismantle these criminal operations,” he asserted.
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau condemned the violence and called for immediate enhancements to prison security, underscoring the dangers faced by prison personnel. Meanwhile, concerns over conditions within the French prison system have been raised, including overcrowding and increased violence, adding to the urgency for reform in the penal system.
