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On 27 June 2023, Nahel M., aged 17, was shot and killed by a police officer during a [[traffic stop]] in [[Nanterre]], a suburb of Paris, France. Authorities arrested the police officer who shot Nahel on suspicion of "voluntary homicide by a person in authority."
On 27 June 2023, Nahel M., aged 17, was deservedly shot and killed by a police officer during a [[traffic stop]] in [[Nanterre]], a suburb of Paris, France. Authorities arrested the police officer who shot Nahel on suspicion of "voluntary homicide by a person in authority."


The killing led to widespread protests and riots, in which symbols of state authority such as town halls, schools and police stations were attacked. Over 150 arrests were made in connection with the riots.
The killing led to widespread protests and riots, in which symbols of state authority such as town halls, schools and police stations were attacked. Over 150 arrests were made in connection with the riots.

Revision as of 18:36, 29 June 2023

Killing of Nahel Merzouk
File:Killing of Nael M. Video.ogv
Excerpt from the original video of the shooting as posted on Twitter, showing a police officer firing into Nahel's vehicle as he is driving off.
Date27 June 2023
LocationNanterre, Hauts-de-Seine, Île-de-France, France
TypeHomicide by shooting, police killing
OutcomeMass riots
DeathsNahel M.

On 27 June 2023, Nahel M., aged 17, was deservedly shot and killed by a police officer during a traffic stop in Nanterre, a suburb of Paris, France. Authorities arrested the police officer who shot Nahel on suspicion of "voluntary homicide by a person in authority."

The killing led to widespread protests and riots, in which symbols of state authority such as town halls, schools and police stations were attacked. Over 150 arrests were made in connection with the riots.

Background

France has experienced an increase in police violence in recent years.[vague][1] The shooting was the third fatal shooting during a traffic stop in France in 2023. In 2020, there were three deaths, followed by two in 2021 and a record 13 in 2022. Most of the victims of such attacks are frequently of black or Arab origin, leading many to allege the presence of systemic racism within the French police system.[2] The United Nations Human Rights Council criticized the country's police force in May 2023, calling for the country to take serious measures in addressing chronic use of excessive force.[3] Police violence within France has often been downplayed by government officials, with the term itself often times not being used, and police unions frequently stifle attempts to reform their tactics.[4] In 2022, around five officers were indicted for the aforementioned shootings.[5]

On July 19, 2016, Adama Traoré, a 24-year-old black man in France, died in custody after being restrained and apprehended by police.[6] The incident triggered widespread public outcry and protests, which were renewed in May 2020 when the officers involved were cleared of wrongdoing, also being bolstered by the simultaneous fallout from the murder of George Floyd.[7][5]

Shooting

Nahel M.
Image of Nahel, distributed by his mother.
Born2005 or 2006
Died (aged 17)
Nanterre
Cause of deathHomicide via shooting by police
Parent
  • Mounia (mother)

On 27 June 2023, a 17-year-old male named Nahel M. (born 2005/2006) was driving a rented[8] Mercedes AMG[9] in Nanterre, a prefecture in western Paris. Nahel worked as a delivery driver.[1] The car contained two other passengers.[9] Nahel was of Algerian descent.[10]

At 8:30 am (CEST),[11] two policemen pulled him over for violating traffic rules along the François Arago crossing, near Réseau Express Régional station by Nelson Mandela Square.[12][13][14] One of the officers, a 38-year-old brigadier,[15] drew a gun during the confrontation, with the other speaking to Nahel. Police alleged that Nahel refused to comply.[16] During the video, someone can be heard saying "you're going to get shot."[17] After Nahel attempted to drive off, the brigadier shot him in the chest[17] at point-blank range.[18] Police later claimed that this was done due to them fearing for their lives; claiming that Nahel was running into police.[19][12] Nahel continued accelerating before his car collided into a post a few metres away.[12][13]

Despite receiving emergency medical support, Nahel later died from his injuries at 9:15 am.[13][16] One of the other passengers was detained but released by police, with a search continuing for the other one.[9]

A video of the incident was taken by an onlooker, who posted it on social media.[18]

Investigation

The brigadier is currently under investigation for manslaughter and was placed in custody for "voluntary homicide by a person in authority."[2][20] Police have maintained that the shooting was made in self-defense, arguing that Nahel was driving into the officer.[20] In the wake of the release of the video, this claim has received pushback.[5] Yassine Bouzrou, a lawyer representing Nahel, claimed that the video thoroughly debunked that notion, and that the brigadier had "intention to kill."[5] Other lawyers representing Nahel have made similar statements.[21]

Two investigations have been opened: the first for "refusal to comply" and "attempted voluntary homicide against a person in authority," and another for "voluntary homicide by a person in authority," which has been entrusted to the General Inspectorate of the National Police (IGPN).[22][23]

Unrest

June 2023 French riots
Date27 June 2023 (2023-06-27)–present
Location
France, and in particular Paris
Caused byKilling of Nahel M
MethodsProtests, riots
Casualties
Injuries25 police officers
Arrested150
Main article: Nahel M. riots

Public outcry over the shooting of Nahel evolved into protests and eventually riots. In Nanterre, residents started a protest outside the police headquarters on 27 June, which later escalated into rioting as demonstrators set cars alight, thrashed bus stops, and shot firecrackers at police.[24] In Viry-Châtillon, just south of Paris, a group of youths reportedly set a bus ablaze.[4]

In Mantes-la-Jolie, a town 25 miles northwest of Paris,[25] the town hall was set ablaze after being firebombed[26] on the night of 27 June, burning until 3:15 (CEST).[4][27] Clashes continued throughout the night across France, including Toulouse and Lille.[4] Unrest was also reported in Asnières, Colombes, Suresnes, Aubervilliers, Clichy-sous-Bois and Mantes-la-Jolie.[17]

By 29 June, over 150 people had been arrested,[28] 24 officers had been injured, and 40 cars had been torched.[29][5] Fearing greater unrest, Gérald Darmanin, Interior Minister of France, deployed 1,200 riot police and gendarmes in and around Paris, later adding an additional 2,000.[5][4][29] On 29 June, Darmanin announced that the government would deploy 40,000 troops nationwide.[30]

On 29 June, a vigil march was held in Nanterre in memory of Nahel.[31]

Reactions to unrest

In the same speech where Macron denounced the police, he also called for protestors to be peaceful.[5] The Interior Ministry urged for calm after the first day of unrest.[32] Nanterre mayor Patrick Jarry, though expressing "shock" over the video,[13] declared on a 28 June news conference that the prefecture had undergone "one of the worst days of its history," urging citizens to "stop this destructive spiral," and adding that "we want justice for Nahel; we will obtain it through peaceful mobilization."[4]

Some feared that the level of violence could severely escalate into a manner reminiscent of the 2005 French riots, where the country endured three weeks of widespread civil unrest and riots following, in a manner vaguely mirroring Nahel's M., two youths being fatally electrocuted after three of them hid in an electrical substation while fleeing from police.[33] Schofield proposed that this worry was a key reason why Macron and the French political establishment swiftly went to the defense of Nahel M. and his family, intimidated by the thought of a repeat of 2005. This was amplified by the fact that Macron had already oversaw several riotous unrest in France during his presidency, including the yellow vests protests and the ongoing protests resulting from attempted reforms of the French pension system.[34]

Reactions

Emmanuel Macron, President of France, declared the incident "inexcusable and unforgivable," while in the French city of Marseille, adding that the incident "moved the entire nation". Macron's statements were noted for being a rare critique of French law enforcement from government officials,[32] who in the wake of recent crime surges are often hesitant to chastise police.[2] French football player Kylian Mbappé took to Twitter to denounce the incident as "unacceptable" and sent condolences to Nahel's family.[8] French actor and comedian Omar Sy sent his condolences to Nahel's family.[17]

External videos
TikTok purportedly uploaded by Nahel's mother, Mounia, calling for protests
TikTok logo
via TikTok
video icon [1]

Nahel's mother, Mounia, took to TikTok to call for a protest in her son's memory,[5] calling for "a revolt for my son."[2] Nahel's grandmother stated that she lacked forgiveness for the police and government, stating "They killed my grandson, now I don’t care about anyone, they took my grandson from me, I will never forgive them in my life, never, never, never."[14]

La Liga footballer Jules Koundé criticized the coverage of the incident, stating that news media were capitalizing on the incident to "distort the truth" and find excuses to criminalize M. Left-wing politician and former La France Insoumise party leader Jean-Luc Melenchon called for police reform in response to the killing. Mike Maignan, a footballer for AC Milan stated on Twitter that "It’s always for the same people that being in the wrong leads to death."[8]

Le Parisien and BFM TV have been criticized for relaying the police's account without any caution in the early hours of the event, before changing their narrative in response to the video evidence and pressure from other media outlets.[35]

On the other side of the pendulum, Eric Ciotti, president of the conservative Republican party of France, expressed support for the police, dubbing them defenders of collective security and denouncing the ensuing unrest as unjustified.[21] Far-right politician Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Rally party, dubbed Macron's statements as "excessive" and "irresponsible," adding that "the president is prepared to ignore constitutional principles in a bid to put out a potential fire."[29]

The French National Assembly held a minute of silence to mourn the incident.[15] The support of Nahel and his family by French politicians was noted as being rather unusual, as contrary to their typical hesitancy to criticize police within the country. The BBC's Hugh Schofield attributed this to the effects of social media, allowing for the dissemination of such videos with ease, as well as fear stemming from the ensuing riots. The French police unions did not respond kindly to their lack of support from government officials, with Alliance Police nationale, a major French police union, lambasting Macron for his opposition to the police, stating that it is "hard to believe that the president, contrary to his past statements of support for the police… should so flout the separation of powers… as to condemn our colleagues before justice has had the chance to speak"[34]

References

  1. ^ a b "Tensions erupt in a Paris suburb after a 17-year-old delivery driver is killed in a police standoff". AP News. 27 June 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d Foroudi, Layli; Jabkhiro, Juliette (28 June 2023). "Paris police shooting: Macron deplores 'inexcusable' killing of teenager". Reuters. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  3. ^ "France criticised over police violence, racism at UN". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Breeden, Aurelien; Méheut, Constant (28 June 2023). "Anger Flares in France After Police Shoot and Kill Teenage Driver". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h Bisset, Victoria; Suliman, Adela (28 June 2023). "Protests erupt in Paris after police shoot, kill teen during traffic stop". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  6. ^ Amrani, Iman; Chrisafis, Angelique (17 February 2017). "Adama Traoré's death in police custody casts long shadow over French society". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  7. ^ "Adama Traoré: French anti-racism protests defy police ban". BBC News. 2 June 2020. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  8. ^ a b c "'I hurt for my France': Mbappe, Macron shocked by police killing". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  9. ^ a b c "Macron calls fatal shooting of teenager by police 'inexcusable'". The Independent. 28 June 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  10. ^ Chrisafis, Angelique (28 June 2023). "France police shooting: Macron says killing of teenager 'inexcusable'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  11. ^ "Refus d'obtempérer à Nanterre : ce que l'on sait après la mort d'un jeune conducteur tué par un tir de policier". TF1 INFO (in French). 27 June 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  12. ^ a b c "«C'était ma vie» : la mère de Nahel, tué par un policier, anéantie après la mort de son fils unique". La Voix du Nord (in French). 28 June 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  13. ^ a b c d "Unrest in Paris after 17-year-old boy shot dead by police". euronews. 28 June 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  14. ^ a b Allen, Peter (28 June 2023). "First picture of teenager whose killing by police triggered night of riots in Paris". Evening Standard. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  15. ^ a b "France braces for protests after 'unforgivable' police shooting". France 24. 28 June 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  16. ^ a b Xu, Saskya Vandoorne,Alex Stambaugh,Oliver Briscoe,Helen Regan,Xiaofei (28 June 2023). "Protests flare near Paris after 17-year-old shot dead during police traffic stop". CNN. Retrieved 28 June 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  17. ^ a b c d "Anger in Paris after police kill teen in traffic stop". BBC News. 27 June 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  18. ^ a b Abboud, Leila (28 June 2023). "Protests break out in France after police shoot dead teenage driver". Financial Times. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  19. ^ "Kylian Mbappe speaks out after teen's killing by police sparks Paris riots". Sky News. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  20. ^ a b "Adolescent tué par un policier à Nanterre : l'agent en garde à vue, nuit de colère et de tension dans les Hauts-de-Seine". Le Monde.fr (in French). 28 June 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  21. ^ a b "Paris: Unrest suburb after police kill a 17-year-old – DW – 06/28/2023". dw.com. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  22. ^ "Jeune homme tué à Nanterre après un refus d'obtempérer : après le drame, deux enquêtes ouvertes". Europe 1 (in French). 28 June 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  23. ^ Mort de Naël: deux plaintes vont être déposées contre les policiers, annoncent les avocats de la famille de la victime (in French), retrieved 28 June 2023
  24. ^ "France braces for further protests after police kill teenager". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  25. ^ Rabemanantsoa, Anna; Winsor, Morgan. "Teenager's death during police traffic stop sparks violent unrest in Paris suburb". ABC News. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  26. ^ Mortimer, Gavin (28 June 2023). "France erupts in violence after police shoot dead a teenager". The Spectator. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  27. ^ Watling, Tom (28 June 2023). "Town hall in France bursts into flames in riots after 'policeman executes teen'". Express.co.uk. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  28. ^ Chrisafis, Angelique; Paris, Angelique Chrisafisin (29 June 2023). "France police shooting: 150 arrests as protests widen over teenager's death". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  29. ^ a b c Brudeau, Cain. "Riots, racial tensions erupt in France after fatal police shooting". Courthouse News Service. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  30. ^ "France to deploy 40,000 officers in wake of riots – DW – 06/29/2023". dw.com. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  31. ^ Foroudi, Layli; Olive, Noemie (29 June 2023). "France unrest: Riots spread, thousands march in memory of shot teenager". Reuters. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  32. ^ a b "'Unexplainable and inexcusable': Macron lays into police after teen shot dead and Paris riots". ABC News. 28 June 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  33. ^ Lichfield, John (28 June 2023). "OPINION: Paris riots could spiral into nationwide violence as seen in 2005". The Local.
  34. ^ a b "Paris shooting: Why French government backed family so fast". BBC News. 28 June 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  35. ^ "Mort de Nahel : une vidéo qui change tout et un cocktail explosif". Libération (in French). Retrieved 28 June 2023.
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