Gérald Darmanin asks the prefects to “systematically escort” “foreigners” threatening public order -

Alfonso Jimenez // SIPA

Gérald Darmanin sent a letter to the prefects on Tuesday asking them to "systematically drive back foreigners" having committed "serious offenses" or "representing a serious threat to public order", he said on Twitter.

"I ask you to systematically implement the procedures capable of interrupting, as soon as possible, the presence of these people on our territory", writes the Minister of the Interior in this letter in which he asks the prefects of him report “personally” the number of renewals each quarter.

I asked the prefects to strictly apply the law and systematically return to their country foreigners who, by their actions, constitute a serious threat to public order.👇 (1/2) pic.twitter.com/Yz9vr3Le7b

- Gérald DARMANIN (@GDarmanin) September 29, 2020

In this letter, written four days after the chopper attack perpetrated by a Pakistani national in front of the former premises of

Charlie Hebdo

, the minister refers to "recent events" which "should invite you to the greatest vigilance".

The alleged perpetrator of the attack was not known to the specialized services and had lied about his age to benefit from the care granted to minors when he arrived in France in 2018.

A reflection on the legislative provisions

The minister encourages the prefects to favor three “levers”.

First of all, "close coordination" between "security forces", "judicial authority" or "prison administration" to "prepare for the removal of imprisoned foreigners with all the necessary anticipation".

He also asks them for a “complete and systematic implementation of all relevant administrative procedures”, recalling that “current law” allows “refusals or withdrawals of title” or even “French nationality”.

Finally, he wants to see them use “all the operational tools” to carry out these “removals”, namely “retention”, “assignment” or “participation in group flights”.

"We are currently thinking about the legislative provisions that we could take in the coming months in order to facilitate certain procedures", writes Gérald Darmanin.

"You will report to me quarterly and personally on the removals (…) which you have carried out", adds the Minister.

Gérald Darmanin was recently accused by the Alliance police union of wanting to return to the “policy of numbers” in the fight against narcotics, in reference to the security policy led by Nicolas Sarkozy when he was Minister of the Interior.

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