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France bans the use of tear gas grenades against protesters after demonstrators maimed

27 January 2020 12:21 (UTC +04:00)

French authorities have banned the use of the GLI-F4 grenade after several protesters sustained serious injuries, losing hands and fingers, APA reports citing Sputnik.

Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said the tear gas grenade, which is described as a weapon of war in manuals, would no longer be used by law enforcement officials as too many people have been injured. The minister stressed that the ban would take immediate effect.

Protests against Emmanuel Macron’s policies continue across the country. Demonstrators often clash with police officers, who use tears gas in order to disperse protesters. In December 2018, a man had his hand torn off after he picked up a CLI-F4 grenade and tried to throw it away. Another demonstrator lost his fingers attempting to toss the grenade.