The Paris public prosecutor had requested a criminal trial, noting that some riot police officers “armed with batons and shields” had “repeatedly struck non-hostile demonstrators” who were on the ground or “trying to come out with their hands raised”.
The officers are charged with aggravated intentional violence by a person holding public authority. If found guilty they face up to seven years in prison and a €100,000 (£87,000) fine.,(…)
Laurent-Franck Liénard, defending the officers, said context was important and that day “my clients were faced with hundreds and hundreds of demonstrators with an extraordinary level of violence”.
Police violence in France is une marque de fabrique, but only for brown, black and leftist people. Racism is systemic in the institution, which was created under the occupation/collaboration. Every two to three weeks or so you get to see them beat someone, taunting and mocking. It even spreads to the gendarmerie which used to be a respected and respectful force but has been tainted with such devious morale as the police nationale. And yes they caught themselves on tape. So it’s documented.
Police used to contain itself but since the terrorists attacks in Paris in 2015, every government has blindly supported them.
The french police nationale is no example, but compared to Ice I suppose it is not yet the worst.