GLI-F4 grenade
The GLI-F4 instant tear gas grenade is an explosive tear gas grenade, manufactured by French company Alsetex.
History
The GLI-F4 was first authorized alongside the OF-F1 grenade in French law enforcement operation, following Decree 2011–795 on June 30, 2011.It replaced the OF-F1 grenade, which was first suspended after the death of Rémi Fraisse when used during the October 2014 Sivens Dam demonstrations and subsequently forbidden by Decree 2017–1029, on 10 May 2017.
Replacement
On 26 January 2020 then-interior minister, Christophe Castaner, announced the withdrawal of GLI-F4 grenades.While the GLI-F4 replacement, GM2L grenade, does not contain TNT, critics such as the Human Rights League argue that it is not clear that these new grenades are much safer as they function in a similar way, while citing that the GLI-F4 was already being phased out.
Design
The GLI-F4's tear gas consists of of CS gas. Meanwhile, the explosive charge consists of of TNT and of hexocire. It could be thrown and used effectively for at max 200 meters.Usage
GLI-F4 grenades are classified as "weapons of war" in the French Internal Security Code.The usage of GLI-F4 has caused cases of mutilation, especially in demonstration events. Three thousand grenades of this type, some of which expired, were used on the Notre-Dame-des-Landes Zone to Defend in April 2018.