Paris police arrest 20 as demonstrators defy ban on Iran opposition rally

Saturday, 20 June 2026 - 19:26

Paris+police+arrest+20+as+demonstrators+defy+ban+on+Iran+opposition+rally
Protestors against political executions in Iran gathered in Paris on Saturday in defiance of a ​ban on the rally, at which police arrested ‌20 people, according to organisers.

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered at Place Vauban near the Les Invalides monument in central Paris, but ​were dispersed by police, Shahin Gobadi from ​the Paris-based NCRI said.

Paris police could not immediately ⁠be reached for comment.

French police banned the NCRI Iranian opposition ​from holding the rally on Saturday, saying there was ​a risk of clashes between activists holding opposing views, an argument the group described as "bogus".

Organisers appealed the ban, but on ​Saturday it was upheld by a Paris court.

The ban ​on Thursday evening came hours after a call between France's Foreign ‌Minister ⁠Jean-Noel Barrot and his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araqchi, during which they discussed the latest developments to end the Iran war.

France's foreign ministry rejected an allegation by the ​Iranian group, the ​National Council ⁠of Resistance of Iran, that the ban was linked to the call.

The Paris-based ​NCRI, the political arm of the People's ​Mujahideen ⁠Organisation of Iran, has held frequent rallies in the French capital over the years.

They have been attended by thousands ⁠of ​people, including high-profile former U.S., ​European and Arab officials critical of the Islamic Republic.

-Reuters


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