France bans British far-right activists over anti-migrant action
Ten members of a far-right British group accused of destroying small boats used by migrants trying to reach the UK have been banned from entering France.
The French Interior Ministry confirmed on Wednesday that the ban, which came into force on Tuesday, prevented activists from the “Raise the Colors” group from entering or remaining on French territory.
The ministry stated that militants of the anti-immigrant organization were actively searching and destroying ships used on the migration route from France to England across the Channel. Additionally, members of the group carry out “propaganda activities” along the northern coastline of France.
It was reported that these efforts “targeted the British public, who were called upon to strengthen the ranks of the movement to end immigration.”
The ministry did not name the 10 British citizens but said they were “identified within the movement as militants who carried out actions on French territory.”
Cross-Channel migration has become a thorn in relations between Britain and France in recent years and has become a divisive political issue, particularly in the UK
More than 41,000 people crossed the Channel to the UK in small boats last year; Although it is an increase from 2024, it is less than the 2022 record, when more than 45,000 people crossed, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
On January 7, a major supplier of small boats and engines believed to have been used in thousands of Channel crossings to the UK was sentenced to 11 years in prison and fined 400,000 euros (more than £346,000).
45-year-old Turkish national Adem Savaş was sentenced to prison in a Belgian court on Wednesday following a joint operation between the National Crime Agency (NCA) and Belgian authorities.
The NCA believes that by 2023 Savas will provide equipment used in around half of all Channel crossings, making him the agency’s most wanted man as a key player in people-smuggling circles in Europe.
