Trials have begun at the Paris Judicial Court for people arrested during violent demonstrations in the French capital on October 17, 2026, as authorities move to prosecute alleged offences committed during the unrest.

The proceedings opened on Monday, October 19, with cases involving people arrested before the main demonstrations, particularly those accused of carrying weapons. Hearings continued on Tuesday, October 20, attracting journalists, law students and members of the public.

The demonstrations were marked by violent clashes and reports of looting, prompting a large police response and the arrest of thousands of people.

Authorities said 2,513 people were taken into police custody on October 17 alone.

To manage the volume of cases, the court increased the number of courtrooms being used from the usual one or two to four, allowing more defendants to be processed.

Additional security screening was also introduced at the courthouse to prevent possible disturbances, according to a police officer cited in the report.

Those appearing before the court face a range of allegations, including assault against police officers, resisting arrest and handling stolen goods.

The cases are being heard amid heightened public attention and calls from government officials for firm legal action against those accused of participating in the violence.

The trials are taking place against the backdrop of a call by France’s justice minister for the law to be applied with the “utmost firmness” against those responsible for offences during the demonstrations.

The proceedings have generated a tense atmosphere inside and outside the courthouse, with crowds gathering before hearings began and some struggling to secure entry to the packed courtrooms.

The cases are expected to examine the individual circumstances of each arrest and the evidence presented against the defendants.

Before the hearings began, representatives of several lawyers’ collectives delivered a message to the presiding judge, criticising the authorities’ handling of the demonstrations.

The lawyers condemned what they described as “repression as the sole response” and raised concerns about the approach taken toward protesters.

Their intervention reflected broader tensions over the balance between enforcing public order and protecting the rights of people who take part in demonstrations.

The trials form part of the authorities’ response to the October 17 unrest, which involved violent confrontations and alleged looting in Paris.

While prosecutors pursue cases against people accused of criminal offences, the proceedings will determine the evidence against individual defendants and whether the charges can be established in court.