Youths to stand trial over 2007 Paris riots
Last Updated: Tuesday, October 13, 2009 | 11:04 AM ET
CBC News
Five youths in France will stand trial on charges they allegedly shot at police during riots that erupted in November 2007 in a Parisian suburb.
Four youths will face charges of attempted voluntary homicide and carrying an ilegal weapon. The fifth youth is charged with complicity.
None of the names or ages of the five youths has been released.
The riots broke out in Villiers-le-Bel after a 15-year-old boy and a 16-year-old boy were killed when the motorcycle they were on crashed into a police patrol car. Police alleged that the teens on the motorcycle ignored traffic rules and were not wearing helmets as they rode on the unregistered vehicle.
In the wake of the deaths of the teens, youths rioted in several areas outside central Paris, burning dozens of vehicles.
Police said the youths fired buckshot at them and burned a police station with Molotov cocktails.
The police officers involved in the deaths of the two teens have been absolved of any responsibility, but some residents of the area refuse to believe the deaths were an accident.
with files from The Associated Press
