France halts use of stun grenades in policing of student protests

The French government has suspended the police use of stun grenades during high school and student protests following an incident on Monday, October 5, 2026, in the northern city of Lens where a 15-year-old boy lost his hand. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez announced the pause, stating there was a strong possibility that the firing of a stun grenade caused the teenager's severe injury.

The decision comes amid two weeks of ongoing student demonstrations marked by frequent violent clashes between protesters and riot police. These confrontations have resulted in hundreds of injuries and have intensified public accusations of police brutality against the government's law enforcement tactics.

Despite the suspension of stun grenades, the protests have shown no signs of easing. The incident and the subsequent government action have further fueled the demonstrators' ongoing complaints regarding police conduct during the high school and student mobilizations.