54 detained in Paris suburb for violent rioting, detained till tomorrow

Paris: The prosecutor's office for the Paris suburb of Saint-Denis says the detention of 54 young people suspected of taking parts in violent riots has been extended by 24 hours.

The youngsters were arrested on Tuesday for allegedly throwing stones at police cars, setting fires and lobbing smoke bombs into a high school.

The prosecutor's office said among those arrested were students from the school.

There was no clear information about a possible motive. One hypothesis linked the turmoil to ongoing outrage over the Feb. 2 assault of a young man who was allegedly raped with a police baton.

Education minister Najat Vallaud-Belkacem asked for tough judicial sanctions against the troublemakers, speaking of an "extremely serious" action.