the extension of security detention “is one of the possible responses”, believes Gérald Darmanin

“I am completely ready to take new measures to protect the French. And security detention is one of the possible responses”declared Gérald Darmanin, Minister of the Interior, Friday December 8 on franceinfo, while on the right and the far right, voices are being raised to demand an extension of the “safety retention” to those convicted of terrorist acts.

This measure, which allows people who have already served their sentence to be kept in a center, is only possible under very restrictive conditions, in particular a sentence of fifteen years in prison. “Should we lower this threshold? It’s a discussion we need to have”, estimates the Minister of the Interior. He recalls that the terrorist arrested after the knife and hammer attack which left one dead last week near the Eiffel Tower “was sentenced to five years in prison, one of which was suspended”. He was therefore not affected by this measure, underlines Gérald Darmanin. According to him, the question arises since “Fifteen years of conviction for terrorism, this is someone who committed very serious acts”.

“This is a question that must be asked in Parliament”continues the minister, while recognizing that this subject of security detention, “is an essential question for democracies”. However, he recognizes that even if“there must be a balance between the protection of the French and the protection of people’s civil liberty”he will choose “always protecting the French”.