French police held a Russian activist and his girlfriend for interrogation after the former claimed he released sex videos that brought down President Emmanuel Macron's favoured candidate for Paris mayor.

The artist was arrested on Saturday in connection with a fight at a New Year's party.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/emmanuel-macrons-lieutenant-benjamin-griveaux-out-of-paris-mayoral-race-for-sexting-280720">Emmanuel Macron's lieutenant Benjamin Griveaux out of Paris Mayoral race for sexting</a>

Pyotr Pavlensky, who received asylum in France in 2017 after his radical protests in Russia, leaked screenshots of an online chat in which centrist ruling party's Benjamin Griveaux was allegedly sexting a woman. Pavlensky also said that the woman was not Griveaux's wife.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Pavlensky's French girlfriend, Alexandra de Taddeo, believed to be the recipient of the videos sent in 2018.

Police, on Sunday, however, turned their attention to the video released this week online that showed a man masturbating, and racy messages sent to a woman.

The videos led to Griveaux abruptly calling off his campaign, a first in France, where politicians in the past tried to brush off sex scandals as private matters.

French politicians, cutting across party lines, also denounced the leak of the videos, which many believe is an unacceptable Americanisation of politics in France. French media has also criticized the act.

"Everyone has the right to their secret garden," the speaker of the National Assembly, Richard Ferrand, told the Journal du Dimanche weekly.

Taddeo has also been arrested on the grounds of invasion of privacy and publishing sexual content without consent.

On Friday, Pavlensky said that he leaked the video in order to expose the "hypocrisy" of 42-year-old Griveaux and intended to post similar videos to expose the newly created "political porn platform".

Griveaux "is someone who constantly brings up family values, who says he wants to be the mayor of families and always cites his wife and children as an example. But he is doing the opposite," Pavlensky had said.

After Griveaux's pull out, French Health Minister Agnes Buzyn run from Macron's party for the post of mayor.

(with inputs of AFP and Reuters)

&nbsp;

French police held a Russian activist and his girlfriend for interrogation after the former claimed he released sex videos that brought down President Emmanuel Macron's favoured candidate for Paris mayor.

French police held a Russian activist and his girlfriend for interrogation after the former claimed he released sex videos that brought down President Emmanuel Macron's favoured candidate for Paris mayor. The artist was arrested on Saturday in connection with a fight at a New Year's party. Also read: Emmanuel Macron's lieutenant Benjamin Griveaux out of Paris Mayoral race for sexting Pyotr Pavlensky, who received asylum in France in 2017 after his radical protests in Russia, leaked screenshots of an online chat in which centrist ruling party's Benjamin Griveaux was allegedly sexting a woman. Pavlensky also said that the woman was not Griveaux's wife. Pavlensky's French girlfriend, Alexandra de Taddeo, believed to be the recipient of the videos sent in 2018. Police, on Sunday, however, turned their attention to the video released this week online that showed a man masturbating, and racy messages sent to a woman. The videos led to Griveaux abruptly calling off his campaign, a first in France, where politicians in the past tried to brush off sex scandals as private matters. French politicians, cutting across party lines, also denounced the leak of the videos, which many believe is an unacceptable Americanisation of politics in France. French media has also criticized the act. "Everyone has the right to their secret garden," the speaker of the National Assembly, Richard Ferrand, told the Journal du Dimanche weekly. Taddeo has also been arrested on the grounds of invasion of privacy and publishing sexual content without consent. On Friday, Pavlensky said that he leaked the video in order to expose the "hypocrisy" of 42-year-old Griveaux and intended to post similar videos to expose the newly created "political porn platform". Griveaux "is someone who constantly brings up family values, who says he wants to be the mayor of families and always cites his wife and children as an example. But he is doing the opposite," Pavlensky had said. After Griveaux's pull out, French Health Minister Agnes Buzyn run from Macron's party for the post of mayor. (with inputs of AFP and Reuters)

Russian activist, girlfriend held after leaked sex videos that ended Macron ally's campaign

"Yellow vest" <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/french-yellow-vests-rail-against-unrepentant-macron-tear-gas-in-paris-188451">protesters returned in force to the streets of France</a> this weekend, clashing with police in several cities and smashing their way into a government ministry in Paris with the help of a forklift truck.

The interior ministry put the number of protesters who took to the streets on Saturday at 50,000, compared with 32,000 on December 29 when the movement appeared to be weakening after holding a series of weekly Saturday protests since mid-November.&nbsp;

Government spokesman Benjamin Griveaux, who was evacuated from his ministry in central Paris when a handful of protesters in high-visibility vests smashed down the large wooden door to the ministry compound, denounced the break-in as an "unacceptable attack on the Republic".

"Some yellow vest protesters and other people dressed in black ... got hold of a construction vehicle which was in the street nearby and smashed open the entrance gate to the ministry," he told AFP.

They briefly entered the courtyard where they smashed up two cars, broke some windows then escaped, he added, saying police were trying to identify them from security footage.&nbsp;

President Emmanuel Macron did not specifically refer to the incident, but tweeted his condemnation of the "extreme violence" against "the Republic, its guardians, its representatives and its symbols".

'Agitators' strike back 
Griveaux had on Friday criticised the yellow vest movement, describing those still involved as "agitators" who were seeking "to overthrow the government".

Police said some 3,500 demonstrators turned up on the Champs-Elysees on Saturday morning.&nbsp;

Some then made their way south of the river to the wealthy area around Boulevard St Germain, where they set light to a car and several motorbikes and set up burning barricades, prompting police to fire tear gas to try and disperse them.&nbsp;

Police said 35 people were arrested.

Demonstrators took to the streets of several other cities across France, with up to 2,000 people in Rouen northwest of Paris, where some set up burning barricades. One protester was injured and at least two others were arrested, police said.&nbsp;

Some 4,600 protesters hit the streets of the southwestern city of Bordeaux, with some hurling stones at police who answered with tear gas and water cannon.&nbsp;

Five police were hurt and 11 people arrested, local authorities said, adding that several cars were torched and shop windows broken.

Further south in Toulouse, 22 people were detained following clashes that erupted after 2,000 people turned out to demonstrate.

And in the central-eastern city of Lyon, several thousands took to the streets, blocking access to the A7 motorway and causing traffic jams for those returning from Christmas holidays in the mountains.

Brigitte Bardot backs protesters 
The yellow vest movement began in rural France over plans to increase fuel taxes.

But it later ballooned into a wider revolt against Macron's pro-market policies and governing style, with 282,000 people joining the first Saturday rally on November 17.&nbsp;

Macron initially refused to make any concessions, but in mid-December, after weeks of violence, he scrapped the planned fuel tax hike and promised extra cash for minimum wage earners as well as tax cuts for pensioners.

The protests have turned into the biggest political crisis of Macron's 20-month presidency and brought his popularity ratings to an all-time low.

Although public anger appeared to abate following his concessions and over the holiday period, the brief arrest on Wednesday of Eric Drouet, one of the leaders of the movement, appeared to rekindle resentment among his supporters.&nbsp;

The latest opinion poll, published on Thursday by Odoxa Dentsu, indicated 55 percent support the protests -- a figure which, although lower than the 75 percent back in November, is still important enough to suggest the anti-austerity movement retains political clout.

Former cinema icon Brigitte Bardot, who is known today for her rightwing views and animal rights activism, on Sunday said she understood what motivated the yellow vest movement.

"When I see the millions spent on incredibly trivial things, when I see politicians using private planes and chauffeur-driven cars to get around (...) all this money spent is unacceptable," she told the Midi Libre newspaper.

"It should be given instead to people in need."

"Yellow vest" protesters returned in force to the streets of France this weekend, clashing with police in several cities and smashing their way into a government ministry in Paris with the help of a forklift truck.

"Yellow vest" protesters returned in force to the streets of France this weekend, clashing with police in several cities and smashing their way into a government ministry in Paris with the help of a forklift truck. The interior ministry put the number of protesters who took to the streets on Saturday at 50,000, compared with 32,000 on December 29 when the movement appeared to be weakening after holding a series of weekly Saturday protests since mid-November. Government spokesman Benjamin Griveaux, who was evacuated from his ministry in central Paris when a handful of protesters in high-visibility vests smashed down the large wooden door to the ministry compound, denounced the break-in as an "unacceptable attack on the Republic". "Some yellow vest protesters and other people dressed in black ... got hold of a construction vehicle which was in the street nearby and smashed open the entrance gate to the ministry," he told AFP. They briefly entered the courtyard where they smashed up two cars, broke some windows then escaped, he added, saying police were trying to identify them from security footage. President Emmanuel Macron did not specifically refer to the incident, but tweeted his condemnation of the "extreme violence" against "the Republic, its guardians, its representatives and its symbols". 'Agitators' strike back Griveaux had on Friday criticised the yellow vest movement, describing those still involved as "agitators" who were seeking "to overthrow the government". Police said some 3,500 demonstrators turned up on the Champs-Elysees on Saturday morning. Some then made their way south of the river to the wealthy area around Boulevard St Germain, where they set light to a car and several motorbikes and set up burning barricades, prompting police to fire tear gas to try and disperse them. Police said 35 people were arrested. Demonstrators took to the streets of several other cities across France, with up to 2,000 people in Rouen northwest of Paris, where some set up burning barricades. One protester was injured and at least two others were arrested, police said. Some 4,600 protesters hit the streets of the southwestern city of Bordeaux, with some hurling stones at police who answered with tear gas and water cannon. Five police were hurt and 11 people arrested, local authorities said, adding that several cars were torched and shop windows broken. Further south in Toulouse, 22 people were detained following clashes that erupted after 2,000 people turned out to demonstrate. And in the central-eastern city of Lyon, several thousands took to the streets, blocking access to the A7 motorway and causing traffic jams for those returning from Christmas holidays in the mountains. Brigitte Bardot backs protesters The yellow vest movement began in rural France over plans to increase fuel taxes. But it later ballooned into a wider revolt against Macron's pro-market policies and governing style, with 282,000 people joining the first Saturday rally on November 17. Macron initially refused to make any concessions, but in mid-December, after weeks of violence, he scrapped the planned fuel tax hike and promised extra cash for minimum wage earners as well as tax cuts for pensioners. The protests have turned into the biggest political crisis of Macron's 20-month presidency and brought his popularity ratings to an all-time low. Although public anger appeared to abate following his concessions and over the holiday period, the brief arrest on Wednesday of Eric Drouet, one of the leaders of the movement, appeared to rekindle resentment among his supporters. The latest opinion poll, published on Thursday by Odoxa Dentsu, indicated 55 percent support the protests -- a figure which, although lower than the 75 percent back in November, is still important enough to suggest the anti-austerity movement retains political clout. Former cinema icon Brigitte Bardot, who is known today for her rightwing views and animal rights activism, on Sunday said she understood what motivated the yellow vest movement. "When I see the millions spent on incredibly trivial things, when I see politicians using private planes and chauffeur-driven cars to get around (...) all this money spent is unacceptable," she told the Midi Libre newspaper. "It should be given instead to people in need."

'Yellow Vests' storm French ministry as protests turn violent

France's foreign minister warned on Tuesday that President Emmanuel Macron was prepared to respond to US&nbsp;moves in the Middle East, marking a sharp departure from the warm relations on show during Macron's visit to Washington last month.

To date, Macron's best buddy approach to President Donald Trump has produced little practical influence on his policies.

"The situation in the Middle East is explosive, violence is doing the talking, war could loom," Jean-Yves Le Drian told parliament on Tuesday, a day after the United States moved an embassy in Jerusalem and Israeli soldiers shot dead more than 50 Palestinian protesters on the Gaza border.

"The president of the republic has decided to take all necessary political initiatives" in response, Le Drian said, without providing specifics.

Britain's minister of state for the Middle East expressed similar exasperation with Washington, saying the Trump administration needed a greater understanding of the root causes of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Earlier, the French government spokesman defended Macron's efforts to build a close working relationship with Trump, despite the US&nbsp;president having gone against the French leader on almost all major issues so far.

Asked if Trump was still Macron's friend, Benjamin Griveaux, a close adviser to the French president, told BFM TV: "When you are the president of the republic, you are not the friend of foreign leaders, you are their partner, you have strategic alliances.

"France is attached to one thing -- multilateralism. We talk to everyone and we speak firmly and frankly to them, we don't mince our words," he added.

Since coming to power a year ago, Macron has not hidden his desire to build a familiar relationship with Trump.

Perfect

Weeks after he took office, he invited the US&nbsp;president to attend the annual Bastille Day celebrations, putting on a spectacular military parade for Trump.

During their first phone call, 71-year-old Trump gave the 40-year-old Frenchman his personal mobile phone number, and the two have spoken frequently since.

Last month, Macron and his wife Brigitte travelled to Washington for a state visit, the first Trump has hosted since he took office. Trump described Macron as "perfect" and the two made a show of giving each other warm hugs.

"He's a great guy, his wife is fantastic," Trump said of Macron in January. "I like him. He's a friend of mine."

Yet Macron has struggled to convert the 'bonhomie' into influence on critical issues.

Soon after Macron took office, Trump announced he was walking away from the Paris climate accord, a landmark international agreement to combat global warming.

In recent weeks, over the objection of Macron and other leaders, Trump has moved to impose tariffs on European steel and aluminium imports, has withdrawn from the Iran nuclear deal and moved the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, fuelling widespread Palestinian unrest.

Asked late last year whether Macron wasn't wasting his time buddying up to Trump, a close adviser to the French president said it was worth it.

"We don't know how much worse things might be if he wasn't building a close relationship," the official said.

Griveaux took a similar line, adding that Macron's efforts didn't mean he was giving in.

"Does it mean that we endorse or share the positions (of the US&nbsp;administration)?" he said. "The answer is no."

France's foreign minister warned on Tuesday that President Emmanuel Macron was prepared to respond to US moves in the Middle East, marking a sharp departure from the warm relations on show during Macron's visit to Washington

France's foreign minister warned on Tuesday that President Emmanuel Macron was prepared to respond to US moves in the Middle East, marking a sharp departure from the warm relations on show during Macron's visit to Washington last month. To date, Macron's best buddy approach to President Donald Trump has produced little practical influence on his policies. "The situation in the Middle East is explosive, violence is doing the talking, war could loom," Jean-Yves Le Drian told parliament on Tuesday, a day after the United States moved an embassy in Jerusalem and Israeli soldiers shot dead more than 50 Palestinian protesters on the Gaza border. "The president of the republic has decided to take all necessary political initiatives" in response, Le Drian said, without providing specifics. Britain's minister of state for the Middle East expressed similar exasperation with Washington, saying the Trump administration needed a greater understanding of the root causes of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Earlier, the French government spokesman defended Macron's efforts to build a close working relationship with Trump, despite the US president having gone against the French leader on almost all major issues so far. Asked if Trump was still Macron's friend, Benjamin Griveaux, a close adviser to the French president, told BFM TV: "When you are the president of the republic, you are not the friend of foreign leaders, you are their partner, you have strategic alliances. "France is attached to one thing -- multilateralism. We talk to everyone and we speak firmly and frankly to them, we don't mince our words," he added. Since coming to power a year ago, Macron has not hidden his desire to build a familiar relationship with Trump. Perfect Weeks after he took office, he invited the US president to attend the annual Bastille Day celebrations, putting on a spectacular military parade for Trump. During their first phone call, 71-year-old Trump gave the 40-year-old Frenchman his personal mobile phone number, and the two have spoken frequently since. Last month, Macron and his wife Brigitte travelled to Washington for a state visit, the first Trump has hosted since he took office. Trump described Macron as "perfect" and the two made a show of giving each other warm hugs. "He's a great guy, his wife is fantastic," Trump said of Macron in January. "I like him. He's a friend of mine." Yet Macron has struggled to convert the 'bonhomie' into influence on critical issues. Soon after Macron took office, Trump announced he was walking away from the Paris climate accord, a landmark international agreement to combat global warming. In recent weeks, over the objection of Macron and other leaders, Trump has moved to impose tariffs on European steel and aluminium imports, has withdrawn from the Iran nuclear deal and moved the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, fuelling widespread Palestinian unrest. Asked late last year whether Macron wasn't wasting his time buddying up to Trump, a close adviser to the French president said it was worth it. "We don't know how much worse things might be if he wasn't building a close relationship," the official said. Griveaux took a similar line, adding that Macron's efforts didn't mean he was giving in. "Does it mean that we endorse or share the positions (of the US administration)?" he said. "The answer is no."

French at growing odds with US despite Macron's 'BFF' tactics on Trump

A day after France President Emmanuel Macron and the US president Donald Trump vow quick and forceful action in response to Syria over the chemical leak attack the government spokesperson Benjamin Griveaux said, France to retaliate against the regime of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad.

"France will retaliate against the regime of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad if evidence emerges that it was behind a recent suspected chlorine gas attack in a rebel-held enclave", Griveaux said on Tuesday.

Griveaux said to a Europe 1 radio station that, "If the red line has been crossed, there will be a response," he told Europe 1 radio while also adding that intelligence shared by President Emmanuel Macron and US President Donald Trump "in theory confirms the use of chemical weapons."

France has repeatedly warned that evidence of the use of chemical weapons in Syria is a "red line" that would prompt French strikes on Syrian government forces.

While condemning the use of chemical weapons against civilians&nbsp;in Douma, Emmanuel Macron discussed the attack with US president on call Monday.

Speaking at a meeting with military leaders and national security advisers, Trump also said that he would make a decision by Monday night "or very shortly thereafter" on a response, adding that the United States had "a lot of options militarily" on Syria.

At least 60 people&nbsp;were killed in the suspected chemical attack carried out on the rebel-held town in eastern Ghouta near the capital, Damascus. Over 1,000 people reportedly were injured.

In earlier reports rebel groups of Syria accused Damascus of carrying out the attack however, Syrian state media denied such reports saying that eastern Ghouta of Douma is in a state of collapse and spreading false news.

US State Department who is also monitoring the situation closely has so far been unable to determine conclusively what materials were used. However, Trump said that Washington is getting more clarity on who was responsible for the attack.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-big-price-to-pay-for-syria-chemical-attack-129188">Also read: Trump says 'big price to pay' for Syria chemical attack</a>

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-vows-quick-action-in-response-to-suspected-chemical-attack-in-syria-129464">Trump vows quick action in response to </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-vows-quick-action-in-response-to-suspected-chemical-attack-in-syria-129464">suspected</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-vows-quick-action-in-response-to-suspected-chemical-attack-in-syria-129464"> chemical attack in Syria</a>

A day after France President Emmanuel Macron and the US president Donald Trump vow quick and forceful action in response to Syria over the chemical leak attack

A day after France President Emmanuel Macron and the US president Donald Trump vow quick and forceful action in response to Syria over the chemical leak attack the government spokesperson Benjamin Griveaux said, France to retaliate against the regime of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad. "France will retaliate against the regime of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad if evidence emerges that it was behind a recent suspected chlorine gas attack in a rebel-held enclave", Griveaux said on Tuesday. Griveaux said to a Europe 1 radio station that, "If the red line has been crossed, there will be a response," he told Europe 1 radio while also adding that intelligence shared by President Emmanuel Macron and US President Donald Trump "in theory confirms the use of chemical weapons." France has repeatedly warned that evidence of the use of chemical weapons in Syria is a "red line" that would prompt French strikes on Syrian government forces. While condemning the use of chemical weapons against civilians in Douma, Emmanuel Macron discussed the attack with US president on call Monday. Speaking at a meeting with military leaders and national security advisers, Trump also said that he would make a decision by Monday night "or very shortly thereafter" on a response, adding that the United States had "a lot of options militarily" on Syria. At least 60 people were killed in the suspected chemical attack carried out on the rebel-held town in eastern Ghouta near the capital, Damascus. Over 1,000 people reportedly were injured. In earlier reports rebel groups of Syria accused Damascus of carrying out the attack however, Syrian state media denied such reports saying that eastern Ghouta of Douma is in a state of collapse and spreading false news. US State Department who is also monitoring the situation closely has so far been unable to determine conclusively what materials were used. However, Trump said that Washington is getting more clarity on who was responsible for the attack. Also read: Trump says 'big price to pay' for Syria chemical attack Also read: Trump vows quick action in response to suspected chemical attack in Syria

France targets Assad over Syria chemical attack