Paris bolsters security ahead of Champions League final: prosecutor’s office prepares for potential PSG-Arsenal match unrest
A team of seven magistrates will be deployed, with a particular focus on the juvenile prosecutor’s office, to address individuals involved in public disorder.
Judicial authorities in Paris are setting their strategy. The Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office announced on Thursday, May 28, that it would activate its enhanced response system this weekend. This heightened alert is primarily due to the upcoming Champions League final on Saturday in Budapest, which pits Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) against Arsenal.
In a recent statement, the Public Prosecutor’s Office specified that up to seven magistrates will be available for both adult and juvenile duty shifts, in addition to existing specialized services. Procedures for the juvenile prosecutor’s office have been specifically adapted, working in conjunction with neighboring prosecutor’s offices that might have jurisdiction over minors residing outside Paris, ensuring prompt responses.
Acknowledging the “potential for violent unrest, as anticipated by on-the-ground personnel and the police prefecture,” the Paris Prosecutor emphasized that “immediate referrals to court will be prioritized, starting Saturday and even before the largest gatherings occur.” Furthermore, “judicial inquiries, which allow a judge to be seized of a case, can be initiated if further investigations are required beyond the standard duration of police custody.” The prosecutor also warned that “any serious offense reported but not leading to an immediate arrest during the act itself can still be subject to thorough investigations for future prosecution.”
