Hundreds of complaints filed for arbitrary arrests during protests in France

Hundreds of complaints were filed because of arbitrary arrests during protests in France, lawyers said at a news conference Friday, according to media reports.

Police arrested hundreds of people during protests against the government's pension reform. The demonstrations turned violent after March 16 when Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne decided to adopt the bill without a parliamentary vote.

NGOs denounced the arbitrary arrests and police violence, while France's Defender of Rights Ombudsman Claire Hedon last week warned authorities about the use of force against protesters.

Lawyers said the arrests are unfounded and aimed to break the social movement, according to the Le Figaro newspaper.

They have also said cases of police violence would be subject to other complaints in the coming days.