AI-generated illustration

French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin said 174 people have been arrested in connection with yellow vest demonstrations that turned violent on October 17. Speaking during a visit to Marseille, Darmanin said about 2,500 people had been detained and 917 referred to court.

Interior Minister Laurent Nunez told the Senate that more police would be deployed for yellow vest actions planned for October 24, and said social media platforms had played a significant role in the looting.

Detentions and prosecutions

Darmanin visited Marseille, one of the cities affected by the violence during the October 17 actions, and briefed the press there. Of roughly 2,500 people detained in connection with the demonstrations, 917 have been sent to court.

Of those, 174 were placed in custody on suspicion of possessing stolen goods or taking part in attacks, Darmanin said, calling it "a very significant number." Many of them had clean criminal records before, Darmanin added, and footage from surveillance cameras and social media platforms would lead to further detentions in the coming hours.

Social media role in the looting

French lawmakers discussed the violence and looting that occurred during the October 17 yellow vest protests, with debates held yesterday in the National Assembly in Paris and today in the Senate.

Nunez told the Senate plenary that the number of police deployed on the ground would be increased for the yellow vest actions planned for October 24. Social media use had a significant impact on events, Nunez argued, saying groups on platforms such as TikTok and Snapchat shared information about the positions of police during the protests.

Those groups also circulated details of areas without a police presence so that shops could be looted, Nunez said. Mayors have proposed suspending such platforms during serious looting incidents in which offenders are directed through social media, but Nunez noted that the Council of State ruled in 2025 that such a measure is possible only in exceptional circumstances.

The October 17 protests and their aftermath

The yellow vest protesters, supported by students, held demonstrations across the country on October 17 against the high cost of living and rising fuel prices. About 2,500 people were detained and more than 1,000 police officers, gendarmes and firefighters were injured.

Roughly 3,000 businesses were damaged or looted during the unrest. People whose workplaces were affected criticized the government for failing to manage the crisis.

Local authorities decided to impose partial curfews in several regions, including Paris, Lille, Lyon, Nice and Marseille, to prevent possible further actions.

Key takeaways

• Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin said 174 people were arrested over stolen goods or attacks linked to the October 17 yellow vest protests.
• About 2,500 people were detained overall, with 917 referred to court.
• Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said police numbers would rise for actions planned for October 24 and cited social media's role in the looting.
• More than 1,000 police, gendarmes and firefighters were injured and around 3,000 businesses were damaged or looted.