Five British men detained in northern France over alleged anti-migrant activity have been barred from Nord and Pas-de-Calais for six months and ordered to pay €500 each to a victims’ support association. They appeared before a judge after being detained in Grande-Synthe on October 29.
The men were initially held on suspicion of preparing violence against people and carrying weapons without legitimate reason. The Hauts-de-France prefecture said they were travelling in a minibus and livestreaming footage that authorities said showed intimidation of migrants trying to reach the United Kingdom.
Authorities said officers found four 75-millilitre tear-gas sprays. Later reporting also listed pepper spray and batons among the items seized.
Investigation did not establish violence
A report citing the Dunkirk prosecutor’s office said an association had alerted authorities to the group and accused it of assaulting migrants. However, the investigation did not establish that violence had taken place, according to DNA.
The six-month restriction and €500 payments were imposed as measures alternative to criminal prosecution. The prefecture had also said steps were being taken toward possible administrative detention with a view to removal, but the later judicial outcome does not confirm that any of the men was expelled.
The five have not been publicly identified. Authorities described them as belonging to the far right, but the information provided does not establish that they were members of any named organization.
Reid Bentley