A German national, who was banned from living in France before the G7 held in Biarritz, was arrested in the night from Tuesday to Wednesday and expelled to his country, AFP learned Thursday from judicial sources and close to investigation.
No criminal proceedings
The man, whose age has not been specified, was subject to an administrative inadmissibility (IAT) before the holding of the G7 summit opens Saturday in Biarritz, according to these sources. This administrative measure, pronounced by the French Ministry of the Interior, was recently taken against him because he "had made himself known for violent action at a G20 summit" in the past, said AFP the judicial source.
He was arrested during an identity check during a roadside check in Saint-Jean-de-Luz, in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, about fifteen kilometers from Biarritz where are expected the delegations of the seven world powers. According to the judicial source, the man was unaware of the existence of this ban on residence which had not yet been notified.
"He was therefore not the subject of criminal prosecution and the procedure remained purely administrative," said the judicial source. Placed in administrative detention, he was then taken on a plane on Wednesday to be sent back to his country.
Second German expelled for G7
A few days ago, another German national, who was also subject to a travel ban, was also arrested - in Côte d'Or - and sent back to Germany. These arrests occur in a reinforced security context in the lead up to the summit, which is held from 24 to 26 August in Biarritz, and on which weigh several threats, including "violent groups" such as those resulting from the movement "black bloc", according to the authorities. At this point, five people were also in custody Thursday morning, including three for carrying illegal weapons, according to the judicial source.
According to Interior Minister Christophe Castaner, 13,200 police and gendarmes, supported by military forces, are mobilized to ensure the safety of the summit in the seaside resort.