Paris police suspended over beating of black man

26 November 2020, 19:04

France Police
France Police. Picture: PA

The incident came as president Emmanuel Macron’s government is pushing a new bill that restricts the ability to film police.

A black man who was repeatedly punched, tear gassed and beaten with a truncheon by French police has said he is seeking justice.

French interior minister Gerald Darmanin has ordered the suspension of the officers involved in the case who were filmed beating the man.

The incident came as president Emmanuel Macron’s government is pushing a new bill that restricts the ability to film police, which has prompted protests from civil liberties groups and journalists concerned that it would allow police brutality to go undiscovered and unpunished.

Videos first published on Thursday by French news website Loopsider show the violent arrest of music producer Michel Zecler in the 17th arrondissement or district of the French capital on Saturday.

The video images obtained by The Associated Press, both from a security camera inside the studio and filmed by neighbours outside, show three officers following Mr Zecler inside his music studio, where they can be seen repeatedly punching him and beating him with a truncheon.

He told the Associated Press he feels “good” now that “the truth is out”.

“I want to understand why I have been assaulted by people who were wearing a police uniform,” he said.

“I want justice actually, because I believe in the justice of my country.”

France Police
Michel speaks to the media before going to the IPGN. He said officers beat him and hurled racial abuse at him (Thibault Camus/AP)

Mr Zecler said that the officers hurled repeated insults at him, including a racist epithet.

He added that he still does not understand why officers decided to arrest him. He suffered injuries to his head, forearms and legs.

His lawyer Hafida El Ali said: “He asked them what they wanted, if they wanted to check his identity.

“They didn’t stop beating him. The video of the violence (inside the studio) lasts for 12 minutes.”

At some point the officers called in reinforcements and went outside. They then threw a tear gas grenade into the studio to get those inside to come out, according to Ms El Ali.

She added that nine others who were recording music in the studio basement were also beaten and thrown to the ground.

Allegedly, the violence only stopped when a police officer saw they were being filmed.

Mr Zecler was taken into custody.

Ms El Ali said: “These videos are essential because initially my client was being detained… for violence against people with public authority.

“This is very serious. The reality is that if we didn’t have these videos maybe my client would be in prison.”

Mr Darmanin tweeted that the Inspectorate General of the National Police (IGPN), the body that investigates allegations of police misconduct, is looking into the case.

He added: “I want disciplinary proceedings as soon as possible.”

The Paris police prefecture said in a statement that IGPN will seek to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the man’s arrest.

The Paris prosecutor’s office is also investigating the officers’ actions.

The prosecutor’s office said on Thursday that it has dropped the proceedings against Michel opened on the day of his arrest.

France Police
This is the second investigation into Paris police brutality this week after officers were filmed violently disbanding a migrant camp (Michel Euler/AP)

Instead, it has opened an investigation for “acts of violence by a person in position of public authority” and “false declaration”.

According to Le Parisien newspaper, based on the written record of the officers’ declarations the day after the arrest, Mr Zecler drew their attention because he was not wearing a mask — which is mandatory in Paris outdoors.

They said he seemed “nervous” and a “strong drug smell” was emanating from him, adding that he was getting “dangerous” toward them.

Mr Zecler’s lawyer said: “My client never committed any violence against the police.

“He did not even defend himself.”

It’s the second such police brutality investigation in Paris this week prompted by video footage. The government ordered an internal police investigation on Tuesday after police officers were filmed tossing migrants out of tents and intentionally tripping one while evacuating a protest camp.

That same day, France’s lower house of parliament approved a draft law meant to strengthen local police and provide greater protection to all officers. It notably makes it a crime to publish images of officers with intent to cause them harm.

The bill, which enjoys public support after recent terrorist attacks, will now go to the Senate.

By Press Association

Latest World News

See more Latest World News

South Africa Bus Crash

Girl, 8, the sole survivor as 45 die in bus crash off South Africa bridge

A spokesman has denied reports the sausage dog could be banned.

The wurst news is over: Germany denies claims of sausage dog ban

Israel Palestinians Britain Aid

UN top court orders Israel to open more land crossings into Gaza

Greece Confidence Vote

Greece’s government survives no-confidence motion called over rail disaster

Israel Palestinians UN Security Council

Russia ‘abolishes’ monitoring of sanctions on North Korea with UN veto

Firefighters at the scene of a bus crash in Limpopo

Bus falls from bridge in South Africa and erupts into flames, killing at least 45 and leaving child, 8, as lone survivor

Music-Green Day UN

Green Day to headline UN-backed global climate concert

Sam Bankman-Fried

FTX founder Bankman-Fried sentenced to 25 years in prison for crypto fraud

France Valentino

Former Gucci designer Alessandro Michele named Valentino creative director

Russia Shooting

Russia arrests another suspect in concert hall attack that killed 143

American Easter egg

White House’s annual Easter egg roll to be attended by 40,000 people

Barbers in Paris

Proposal to ban discrimination over a person’s hair passes first legal hurdle

Mahmoud Abbas

Palestinian Authority names new government following pressure to reform

Arvind Kejriwal

Opposition leader Kejriwal locked up for further four days, court rules

Resident clears rubble from home

Russia wears down Ukrainian defences with missile and drone attacks

Pope Francis

Pope urges priests to avoid ‘clerical hypocrisy’ in Maundy Thursday speech