Paris protests: Students tear-gassed by police Published duration 23 February 2017

image copyright AFP image caption The protests on Thursday were the latest in a series against alleged police brutality

Police have fired tear gas at Paris students who blockaded 16 high schools in protest against the alleged police rape of a young black man.

The demonstrations are the latest to be held in the capital over the alleged rape and other reported police abuses.

The victim, known publicly only as Theo, reported being beaten up by officers and raped with a truncheon after being stopped on 2 February.

Four police officers have been suspended pending an inquiry.

The demonstrators set fire to bins after starting their protest at the Place de la Nation.

image copyright AFP image caption Plain-clothed policemen arrested a small number of protesters

image copyright AFP image caption Police fired tear gas and charged at the demonstrators with batons

image copyright EPA image caption School entrances across Paris were barricaded

The protesters gathered outside schools in Paris to prevent students and teachers from entering, using rubbish bins and other objects to barricade the entrances.

There were no reports of serious injuries, despite pictures on social media of clashes between police and protesters on the fringes of the Place de la Nation rally.

Police said they carried out only a handful of arrests.

Police said the protests were unlawful because no prior permission had been granted, according to local media.

image copyright Reuters image caption The alleged rape of Theo, a young black man, has caused outrage among some students in Paris

image copyright AFP image caption Bins were set alight across the city

image copyright AFP image caption Protesters threw stones at police

Protests are also reported by French media to have taken place in Montpellier.