Two British citizens have been taken into custody in northern France, with authorities suspecting them of intending to participate in a prohibited far-right demonstration. Prosecutors confirmed the arrests, citing concerns over potential illegal activities.
The individuals, identified as 35 and 50 years old, were apprehended near Calais on Sunday. Their detention reportedly followed the broadcasting of live video content. According to prosecutor Cécile Gressier, the arrests were made on grounds of “incitement to hatred” and “participation in a group with the intent to prepare acts of violence.”
This development occurs in the wake of a decision by French authorities last week to implement immediate deportations for any individuals arriving from the United Kingdom with the intent to join anti-migrant demonstrations scheduled for the weekend. Online platforms in the UK had seen calls for anti-immigration activists to converge on the region of northern France where asylum seekers commonly depart in small boats for a crossing of the English Channel.
The demonstration, referred to as “Operation Overlord,” had been officially banned by the French government.
A statement from the Pas-de-Calais prefecture detailed the circumstances of the arrests. It explained that the individuals were detained during an identity check while actively posting a video on social media. This video was alleged to contain discriminatory remarks and indicated their potential involvement with the banned organization.
Earlier in the month, the French interior ministry had reported banning ten British activists identified as “far-right” from entering France. These individuals had reportedly engaged in actions deemed likely to cause “serious disturbances to public order.” The two men arrested on Sunday were not among this initial group of ten, according to Agence France Presse.
French authorities have extended the prohibition placed on the Operation Overlord gathering. The ban is now set to remain in effect until Wednesday at 08:00 local time (07:00 GMT). A joint statement from the prefects of the North and Pas-de-Calais departments indicated that despite the absence of large-scale gatherings thus far, various online messages over the weekend suggested the operation was ongoing.
The authorities emphasized that these activities are driven by “xenophobic and anti-immigrant ideology” and pose a clear risk of public disorder.