Riot police clash with students as education protests rage in France

On Friday, a 17-year-old was arrested on suspicion of attempted homicide after protests in Belfort, north-eastern France, where a police officer was targeted.BBC Verify has now authenticated two videos that show the man, who was later identified as an officer by a minister, being beaten up near a school in Belfort. In the graphic footage, a group of young men are seen chasing him. The officer falls to the ground, and is subsequently punched and kicked multiple times in the head.At least 65 staff members have been injured in the unrest, the education ministry said.In the Paris suburb of Pantin police charged at protesters and made arrests after projectiles where thrown at officers.Meanwhile, in Strasbourg tear gas was deployed as police feared conditions would become more hostile, according to the Reuters news agency.Rubbish bins have also been set on fire in Rennes and Paris.”As far as we’re concerned, we’ve won – our school is closed this morning,” Lola, a 16-year-old protester, told the AFP news agency on Friday.She said police actions had made things worse.”It makes us even angrier – the police have no right to hit us or use tear gas on us,” she added.