French authorities have apprehended two British citizens in northern France on suspicion of intending to participate in a prohibited far-right demonstration. The individuals, aged 35 and 50, were taken into custody near Calais on Sunday following their live-streamed activities on social media platforms.
According to Prosecutor Cécile Gressier, who confirmed the details to the BBC, the detention resulted from evidence gathered through their broadcasted content. The charges against them include ‘incitement to hatred’ and ‘participation in a group with the intent to prepare acts of violence.’
The arrests occur against the backdrop of heightened security measures implemented by French officials, who had previously announced immediate deportation for any UK arrivals attempting to join anti-migrant demonstrations over the weekend. This preventive action targeted planned gatherings in northern coastal areas where small boats frequently launch carrying asylum seekers across the English Channel.
French social media monitoring had identified calls for participation in what was termed ‘Operation Overlord’—a protest movement specifically banned by French authorities. The Pas-de-Calais prefecture issued an official statement clarifying that ‘these individuals were arrested during an identity check while they were posting a video on social media that allegedly contained discriminatory comments and attested to their potential participation in this organisation.’
The incident highlights ongoing tensions surrounding migration patterns across the Channel and demonstrates France’s firm stance against organized demonstrations perceived as threatening public order or promoting discriminatory agendas.