Black series against prisons: new attacks, anti-terrorist prosecutor’s office seized

On the night of April 21-22, several prisons and prison staff were targeted once again in France, continuing a worrying wave of violence.

Burnt-out cars, threatening inscriptions, drone overflights: malicious acts against prison services are on the increase. This new night of attacks affected several départements, including Oise, Calvados, Isère and Rhône.

Vehicles torched, homes targeted, drones spotted
In Caen, an arson attack destroyed five administrative vehicles in the parking lot of the Service pénitentiaire d’insertion et de probation. In Mouy, in the Oise region, the tag “DDPF” – an acronym for “Droit des détenus et prisonniers français” – was discovered on an officer’s car, in a continuation of the markings that have appeared since the start of this wave of intimidation.

In Isère, a number of residences were targeted by gunfire and fire. One of the homes attacked, also tagged with the initials “DDPF”, turned out to be that of a neighbor, probably targeted by mistake, according to the FO Justice union. In the Rhône region, three prison guard vehicles were set alight near the Corbas prison, near Lyon. A minor was arrested in the process.

In addition, drones have been spotted flying over the Lutterbach (Haut-Rhin), Lannemezan (Hautes-Pyrénées) and Saint-Quentin-Fallavier (Isère) prisons, raising fears that the attacks may have been coordinated.

Increased mobilization, judicial response underway
Faced with this situation, Gérald Darmanin, the French Minister of the Interior and Justice, on Tuesday thanked the police and prison officers “whose mobilization has helped to dissuade several violent acts”. He praised the arrest of a group carrying jerry cans of petrol on the outskirts of a prison in Isère.

The French National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office (Pnat) is investigating 13 incidents committed between April 13 and 21 in nine départements. Among them: 21 vehicles set on fire, a dozen damaged, and several agents’ homes targeted. The public prosecutor’s office is coordinating investigations with local jurisdictions, notably in the Rhône, Isère and Calvados departments.

This wave of attacks seems to be linked to a movement claiming to defend French prisoners. In mid-April, a group claiming to be “DDPF” had broadcast threats and demands on the Telegram messaging service.

“These acts constitute unacceptable intimidation against the Republic”, Gérald Darmanin reiterated on X, promising judicial responses commensurate with the threat.