Violence Spreads in Paris Suburbs; 17 More Arrests

PARIS (AP) — Police say rioters have again set fire to cars and garbage bins overnight in spreading violence in the suburbs of Paris over the alleged rape of a young black man with a police baton.

Police said Wednesday morning they made 17 arrests.

The violence in suburbs northeast of Paris, which has now spread to at least five towns, erupted after a young black man was allegedly sodomized with a police officer’s baton last week, during an identity check. One officer was charged Sunday with aggravated rape and three others were charged with aggravated assault.

President Francois Hollande visited the alleged victim, identified only by his first name, Theo, on Tuesday afternoon at the suburban hospital where he has been treated since the assault.