(Paris) The French government on Sunday banned the sale and use of fireworks mortars, highly prized by rioters during recent urban violence in the country, during the upcoming July 14 National Day celebrations.
These fireworks, usually over the counter, have been diverted from their use for several years in France where they are used in particular to attack the police or attack buildings.
They were used on a very large scale during the six nights of riots which shook the country after the death on June 27 of young Nahel, 17, killed at point-blank range by a policeman during a traffic check in Nanterre, near from Paris.
Faced with fears of a new conflagration during the national holiday, a government decree published on Sunday in the Official Journal prohibits their sale during the weekend of July 14 and 15 during which firecrackers and fireworks usually resound in the country.
“In order to prevent the risk of serious disturbances to public order during the July 14 festivities, the sale, carrying, transport and use of pyrotechnic articles and fireworks are prohibited until July 15 inclusive. entertainment throughout the national territory”, specifies this text.
This prohibition does not apply to authorized professionals or municipalities which organize fireworks for the national holiday, it is specified.
French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne announced, in addition to the ban on pyrotechnic articles, that “massive” security means would be deployed on this occasion.