Figure of the movement against the high cost of living in Martinique, Rodrigue Petitot, head of the Rally for the Protection of Afro-Caribbean Peoples and Resources (RPPRAC), was arrested Tuesday evening in Fort-de-France, it was reported learned from the prosecution. During the night, blockades and fires were observed in several towns on the island.
Rodrigue Petitot, known as “the R”, was arrested and then placed in police custody at the central police station of the capital of the island following a complaint for home invasion and acts of intimidation against people exercising a public function, according to the same source.
The arrest of Rodrigue Petitot, leader of the RPPRAC.
•
©RS
Monday evening (November 11), Rodrigue Petitot entered, accompanied by three other people, the prefectural residence, located in the Didier district of Fort-de-France, with the aim of obtaining an interview with the minister from Overseas, François-Noël Buffet, currently visiting Martinique.
It was the prefect, Jean-Christophe Bouvier, who opposed the entry of the president of the RPPRAC into the residence. The attitude of the leaders of the collective was judged “unacceptable, unimaginable, intolerable“, by the state representative.
To read: “This behavior is unacceptable, unimaginable, intolerable”: the prefecture of Martinique reacts to the intrusion at the prefectural residence
After the announcement of Rodrigue Petitot's arrest, around a hundred people gathered in front of the Fort-de-France police station to demand his release.
•
©Marc-François Calmo
The crowd was dispersed by the police who used tear gas and de-encirclement grenades. The gendarmes, placed in protection around the police station, came under fire from grenades, mortars and firearms. Three of them were injured in the clashes.
Arriving Monday evening in Martinique for a four-day visit, François Noël Buffet, Minister in charge of Overseas Territories, said to himself:willing to meet everyone” on the island, including the leaders of the RPPRAC, returning to the department on Monday after a ten-day stay in Paris to organize demonstrations.
This now seems to be off to a bad start, with the minister wondering “about following up on a meeting request that was not made.
During the night from Tuesday to Wednesday, flaming roadblocks were erected on several roads in the department, charred cars and trash were observed.
To read: PICTURES. Urban violence in Martinique: a look back at a night of riots after the arrest of Rodrigue Petitot, the leader of the RPPRAC
Rodrigue Petitot's hearing should take place this Wednesday morning, according to lawyer Georges-Emmanuel Germany.
