25 Arrested in France on Terrorism Charges after MASSIVE ATTACK on French prisons: LATEST UPDATES

In April 2025, French prisons faced a series of coordinated attacks, described as acts of terrorism by authorities, targeting prison facilities and staff across the country. These attacks, which began on April 13, involved arson, automatic gunfire, and vandalism, with at least 12 prisons and related sites affected over several nights. The incidents are believed to be a response to the French government's intensified crackdown on drug trafficking, particularly cocaine smuggling from South America, and plans to isolate high-profile drug traffickers in new high-security prisons.

Key Details of the Attacks:

• Locations Targeted: Prisons in Toulon, Marseille, Aix-en-Provence, Valence, Nîmes, Luynes, Villepinte, Nanterre, Tarascon, and the South-Francilien prison were hit, along with the National School of Prison Administration and residences of prison staff in Méaux and Marseille. Two homes in Villefontaine, Isère, were also attacked with gunfire and Molotov cocktails, though these were not occupied by prison staff.

• Methods: Attackers used AK-47 rifles, with approximately 15 bullets fired at Toulon’s La Farlède prison gate, and set fire to 24 vehicles, including staff cars, across multiple sites. Graffiti with the acronym "DDPF" (Défense des Droits des Prisonniers Français, or Defense of French Prisoners’ Rights) was found at several locations.

• Timeline:

  
  

  • April 13–14: Seven vehicles were burned at the National School of Prison Administration in Agen, and a guard’s vehicle was torched at Réau prison.

  
  

  • April 15: Gunfire targeted Toulon’s prison, and vehicles were set alight at Villepinte, Nanterre, Aix-Luynes, and Valence.

  
  

  • April 16: A second wave saw three cars burned at Tarascon prison, a prison guard’s car torched in Aix-Luynes, and a building hall set on fire in Meaux.

  
  

  • April 21: Two homes in Villefontaine were attacked, mistakenly targeted as residences of prison staff.

• 
  

• Investigation: The National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office (PNAT), assisted by the DGSI (France’s domestic intelligence agency), is leading the probe, with potential charges including attempted murder with a terrorist outfit. The attacks’ coordinated nature and intent to intimidate public authorities prompted the terrorism classification.

Developments as of April 28, 2025:

• Arrests: On April 28, French authorities arrested at least 25 suspects on terrorism charges linked to the attacks. The arrests, with 22 detained early in the morning and three later, were described as a significant breakthrough by Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, who praised law enforcement efforts.

• Suspected Motives: While the government, including Darmanin and Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, primarily attributes the attacks to drug gangs retaliating against stricter prison measures and anti-narcotics policies, investigators are also exploring other possibilities, such as involvement of far-left or anarchist groups due to the DDPF graffiti. A Telegram group named DDPF, created just before the attacks, shared threats against prison guards, but its posts were deleted after Telegram banned calls for violence.

• Government Response:

  
  

  • President Emmanuel Macron vowed that perpetrators would be “found, tried, and punished,” emphasizing the prison service’s role in upholding the rule of law.

  
  

  • Darmanin announced plans for two new high-security prisons to isolate 200 top drug traffickers, with stricter rules on visits and communications to curb their operations from behind bars.

  
  

  • Retailleau ordered enhanced police protection for prison staff and facilities.

  
  

  • A new anti-drug trafficking law is nearing approval, expanding police powers and creating a national organized crime prosecutor’s office.

• Uncertainties: The exact perpetrators remain unclear, with the DDPF acronym raising questions. Some police sources initially suggested far-left militant involvement, but investigators increasingly lean toward drug trafficking networks, citing the attacks’ style and the government’s crackdown as triggers. A former inmate on semi-release was arrested on April 16 in Essonne, suspected of ties to the DDPF group, but no group has officially claimed responsibility.

Context and Implications:

• Drug Trade Surge: France has seen record cocaine seizures, fueling gang expansion from cities like Marseille to smaller towns, increasing drug-related violence and boosting far-right political support.

• Prison System Challenges: French prisons face overcrowding, violence, and lax security, allowing gang leaders to operate internally. The attacks highlight vulnerabilities, with unions like FO Justice and UFAP noting insufficient staff to secure facilities 24/7.

• DDPF Mystery: The DDPF Telegram group’s messages, including claims of defending prisoners’ rights against guard abuses, contrast with the attacks’ violent tactics, which resemble organized crime more than typical anarchist actions. The group’s poor grammar and lack of intellectual framing further distance it from traditional far-left movements.

17GEN4.com