France's Senate takes on the 'rioters pay' bill after protests

Baku, October 28, AZERTAC The French Senate adopted a bill, known as the "rioters-pay," which seeks to hold protesters participating in violent gatherings responsible for damage caused, Anadolu Agency reported, citing broadcaster Public Senat.The Senate adopted the bill overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday by 229 votes to 105. It seeks "compensation for damage resulting from violence or damage committed in public spaces and the recovery of damages.”The bill was initially presented as a response to the violence that followed Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League victory in May and later evolved due to scenes of vandalism and looting during demonstrations that took place on Oct. 17.The bill reportedly won broad support from the Senate’s right-wing majority but drew criticism from the left, which argued that it undermined several constitutionally protected principles, including freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, and the individualization of penalties.The bill allows individuals w