World · Europe · 1 hr ago
Five British activists fined and barred from parts of northern France
French authorities expelled five British far-right activists on Sunday after they were arrested near Dunkirk in northern France.
The men, aged 30 to 46, had been travelling along the coast in a minibus they called the “Battle Bus.”
Police found tear gas, pepper spray and a baton, which prosecutors said were illegal to carry in France.
The group was accused of intimidating migrants seeking to reach Britain, but investigators found no evidence of violent offences.
A judge fined them and barred them from Nord and Pas-de-Calais for six months; they were also ordered to pay money to migrant charities.
The arrests come amid continuing attempts by asylum-seekers to cross the Channel from France to Britain, and contentious anti-migrant politics in both countries.
The six-month regional ban is the next stated restriction; the authorities said the five had been expelled from France.
Five British men were fined, expelled from France and barred from two northern departments for six months.
They were arrested near Dunkirk while livestreaming and were found carrying tear gas, pepper spray, a stick and a baton.
An aid group accused them of violence against undocumented migrants, but a prosecutor said investigations found no evidence of violent offences.
A judge ordered each man to pay €500 to a victims’ support association.
- Who
- Five British men aged 30 to 46, described by French authorities as members of an ultra-right movement.
- What
- They were fined, expelled from France and banned from Nord and Pas-de-Calais for six months.
- When
- They were arrested on Thursday and expelled on Sunday, November 2.
- Where
- Near Dunkirk in northern France.
- Why
- They were carrying items illegal under French law. An aid group accused them of violence against migrants, but investigations did not establish evidence of violent offences.
Aid group
French prosecutor Charlotte Huet
Alleged violence
Aid group
The aid group accused the men of violence against undocumented migrants.
French prosecutor Charlotte Huet
Investigations failed to establish evidence of violent offences.
The five men were arrested while livestreaming near Dunkirk.
They were fined, expelled from France and banned from Nord and Pas-de-Calais for six months.
- Number of men
- 5
- Age range
- 30 to 46
- Fine
- €500 each
- Regional ban
- 6 months
- Departments covered
- Nord and Pas-de-Calais
3 sources
What people are saying
investigations failed to establish evidence of violent offenses
All five were expelled from French territory on Sunday