One of the leaders of the "Yellow Vest" demonstrations in France was detained by police in Paris, signalling a harder line from the government that sparked a wave of criticism from opponents on Thursday, reports FRANCE 24.
Éric Drouet – who already faces a trial for carrying a weapon at a previous protest – was arrested late Wednesday for organising an unauthorised protest on the Champs-Elysées avenue. He was released Thursday afternoon.
Speaking to reporters after his release, Drouet said he had been on his way to a restaurant with four others when he was picked up by dozens of armed riot police and forced into a vehicle.
"I wasn't wearing a yellow vest, just walking on the pavement," he said, calling the arrest "incomprehensible".
"I'm not the Yellow Vests' representative. With or without me, it will continue", he said, speaking of the protests.
Economy minister Bruno Le Maire defended the arrest, saying: "It's called respecting the rule of law."
"It's normal that when you break the laws of the republic, you face the consequences," he added.
Under French law, protest organisers are required to inform authorities of the location at least three days in advance, but the Yellow Vests have routinely flouted this since their often spontaneous demonstrations began in late November.
Far-right National Rally leader Marine Le Pen accused the government of "systematic violation of the political rights of opponents", while one of her party's top officials, Wallerand de Saint-Just, said Drouet had become "a hero, a martyr".
On the other end of the political spectrum, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of the hard-left France insoumise party, also lashed out at Drouet's detention.