What we know about the people behind France’s riots and looting

Images of young people looting shops and setting fire to public buildings in French cities last weekend have travelled around the world. The government has described those responsible as “scum” and accused ultra-left groups of organising an insurrection ahead of the 2027 presidential elections. But the first defendants to appear in court show a more mixed picture – with students, workers and people with previous convictions among those prosecuted.