NATION ON A KNIFE EDGE
Fears dramatic arrest of Yellow Vest leader will spark more violent mass riots in France
Eric Drouet was arrested by riot cops on Thursday night as he tried to pay tribute to ten people killed in the violent riots
FRANCE’S Yellow Vest protesters threatened to explode into further rioting today following the dramatic arrest of one of their leaders.
Eric Drouet was arrested by riot cops last night as he tried to lay flowers and light candles in memory of ten people killed during violent demonstrations.
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Video posted on social media showed Drouet surrounded by armed officers in helmets as they bundled the militant into a van.
He is still in custody at an unidentified secure police station in central Paris following his apprehension close to the Champs-Elysées.
Drouet was first arrested in December, at the height of rioting by the anti-government Yellow Vests, who are named after their high-visibility jackets.
He was on bail while awaiting trial for "carrying a prohibited category D weapon", but now has to prepare his case in a cell.
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This immediately led to accusations that President Emmanuel Macron had ordered a "political arrest" to stop him stirring up further demonstrations.
Jean-Luc Melenchon, the left-wing MP and former minister, tweeted: "Eric Drouet arrested again, why?
"Abuse of power. A politicised police targeting and harassing the leaders of the Yellow Vest movement."
Now the nationwide Yellow Vests movement has threatened further trouble on Saturday – their traditional protest day.
Benjamin Gauchy, another Yellow Vest leader, said that "public opinion will be shocked".
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The movement, which started off opposing fuel price rises, has caused millions of pounds worth of damage during weeks of rioting, including to many shops on the Champs-Elysées, and to the Arc de Triomphe itself.
The yellow vest movement is named for the fluorescent garments French motorists are required to carry for visibility during vehicle trouble or emergencies.
The movement started to oppose a fuel tax increase, but expanded to encompass the cost of living and other concerns.
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Macron has offered them concessions, including scrapping green taxes on petrol and diesel, but their protests have continued into 2019.
The majority of Yellow Vests killed have been those blockading roundabouts, where accidents have become common.
Macron, leader of his own Republic On The Move party, won the French presidential election by a landslide in May 2017, but he is now dubbed the "President of the Rich" by many.
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