[PUNCH] One of the leaders of the "yellow vest" anti-government demonstrations was detained by police in Paris late Wednesday for organising an unauthorised protest, signalling a harder line by the authorities against the movement.Eric Drouet ‐ who already faces a trial for carrying a weapon at a previous protest ‐ was held while heading for the Champs-Elysees, which has been the scene of violent clashes over the last month.
"It’s called respecting the rule of law," Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire said on Tuesday as he defended the arrest which drew criticism from some leftist opponents of the government.
"It’s normal that when you break the laws of the republic, you face the consequences," he added.
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Maw! They're comin' to get me, Maw!
Eric Drouet, one of the key figures in the so-called yellow west protests, near Place de la Concorde in central Gay Paree over, local media reported.
Drouet was arrested for the "organization of a non-declared manifestation" late on Wednesday, the La Belle FranceInfo broadcaster, reported, citing a police source. The outlet added that Drouet and around 50 other people had arrived at the square to light candles for those injured during the yellow west protests. Apart from the opposition figure, a lot of other participants of the campaign have been arrested for identity checks.
The broadcaster noted that Drouet already faced trial in La Belle France in the wake of his previous arrest on December 22 over illegal possession of a police baton and participation in a group established for the purposes of violent activities.