Administrative house arrest orders against activists in France, Digi Mart USA News (Crest, Drôme, France): The French government has served administrative house arrest orders on activists, barring them from taking part in demonstrations. Around sixty cases have been recorded in France linked to the mobilization of October 31, according to the source report.
Among those affected is Rémi, a resident of Crest in the Drôme. He said gendarmes came to his home on October 30, the day before the demonstration, with documents issued in the name of the Interior Minister.
He says he is required to remain in his commune, to check in at the gendarmerie, and is barred from approaching any protest march.
Rémi said he was shocked by the notice. He noted that its preamble refers to terrorism and violence, and mentions a racist terrorist attack in Trappes.
He also said a closing paragraph refers to two non-violent civil disobedience actions he carried out three years ago, including a banner displayed on a silo during an action in the Rhône.
The measures, known as MICAS (individual measures of administrative control and surveillance), have been issued since the protests of October 17 against ecologist, anti-fascist and pro-Gaza activists. The source reports that further cases were expected for November 5.
Rémi’s lawyer, Me Aïnoha Pascual, who says she already handles seven similar cases in France, described the measures as a worrying expansion of the concept of terrorism to define an internal enemy. She said the targeted individuals are not terrorists and criticized late notifications that prevent appeals.
According to the source, violating such orders can carry three years in prison and a 45,000 euro fine.
