Nina Droff with AFP 1:36 p.m., September 30, 2022, modified at 1:36 p.m., September 30, 2022

Several clashes erupted Thursday evening in the center of Rennes during an undeclared demonstration, between the police and demonstrators.

At least four arrests have taken place, said this morning the public prosecutor of Rennes, Philippe Astruc.

Clashes erupted Thursday evening in the center of Rennes during an undeclared demonstration, resulting in four arrests, we learned Friday morning from the prefecture, the prosecution and the town hall.

This Thursday evening, "about 200 demonstrators were present in the center of Rennes, there were four arrests, degradations and a barricade erected. The prefect condemns this violence", indicated the prefecture of Ille-et-Vilaine to the AFP.

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"Unbearable violence"

Philippe Astruc, public prosecutor in Rennes, specified that the four young men, born in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2007, had been placed in police custody "for acts in particular of violence with a weapon on persons holding the public authority and participation in an armed mob".

"Three police officers were slightly injured in the clashes which followed the police's desire to put an end to a disturbance in Square Ligot (in the center, editor's note) in Rennes after being approached around 10:30 p.m. by residents, "said Philippe Astruc at AFP.

The socialist mayor of Rennes Nathalie Appéré also condemned the events of Thursday evening.

"I condemn the unbearable violence and the damage committed by a group of thugs this night in the city center of Rennes", indicated the mayor in a press release sent to AFP, addressing his "support to the three police officers who have been injured during this operation".

Mortar fire

According to police sources, demonstrators threw projectiles at the police who responded by using tear gas canisters.

A dozen firework rockets in tense mortar fire targeted the police.

The situation returned to calm around 1 a.m. in the Breton capital.

Friday morning, traces of fire were still visible on this square as well as on the town hall square, noted an AFP journalist, as well as tags hostile to the police or calling for violence.