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Killing of Nahel Merzouk

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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 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 667 [1]arrests were made in connection with the riots.

Background

France has seen a rise in incidents of police violence in recent years.[vague][2] The shooting in question marks the third fatal shooting that occurred during a traffic stop in France in 2023. In 2020, there were three deaths, followed by two in 2021, and a record-breaking 13 in 2022. The victims of these incidents are often individuals of black or Arab origin, leading to allegations of systemic racism within the French police system.[3] In May 2023, the United Nations Human Rights Council criticized the country's police force and urged the implementation of significant measures to address the ongoing issue of excessive use of force.[4] The French government has frequently downplayed instances of police violence, sometimes even avoiding the use of the term itself, while police unions often hinder efforts to reform police tactics.[5] In 2022, approximately five officers were indicted in relation to the aforementioned shootings.[6]

On July 19, 2016, Adama Traoré, a 24-year-old black man in France, died while in custody after being restrained and apprehended by the police.[7] This incident sparked widespread public outcry and led to protests. The outcry and protests were reignited in May 2020 when the officers involved were cleared of any wrongdoing, coinciding with the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd.[8][6]

Shooting

Image of Nahel, distributed by his mother

On 27 June 2023, a 17-year-old male identified as Nahel M. was driving a rented[9] Mercedes AMG[10] without a valid driver's license in Nanterre, a suburb of Paris. Nahel, who was too young to possess a full driver's license in France and was driving unlawfully,[11][better source needed] was employed as a delivery driver.[2] Accompanying him in the car were two other passengers.[10] Nahel, who had Algerian heritage,[12] was stopped by two police officers at approximately 8:30 am (CEST)[13] near the François Arago crossing, close to the Nelson Mandela Square, due to traffic violations.[14][15][16]

During the encounter, one of the officers, a 38-year-old brigadier,[17] brandished a firearm, while the other officer engaged in conversation with Nahel. It was alleged by the police that Nahel refused to comply with their instructions.[18] In a video recording of the incident, someone can be heard warning, "you're going to get shot."[19] When Nahel attempted to flee the scene, the brigadier fired a close-range shot into his chest.[20][19] The police later claimed that they felt their lives were in danger, asserting that Nahel had been driving towards them.[21][14] Nahel's car accelerated and collided with a nearby post.[14][15]

Emergency medical assistance was provided to Nahel, but he died at 9:15 am.[15][18] One of the passengers in the car was briefly detained by the police but later released, while authorities continue their search for the other passenger.[10]

An onlooker captured a video of the incident, which was subsequently shared on social media.[20]

Investigation

Nahel M. rented the car through an application that did not require any documents.[22]

The brigadier is currently under investigation for manslaughter and has been placed in custody for the charge of "voluntary homicide by a person in authority."[3][23] The police have maintained that the shooting was an act of self-defense, as they argue that Nahel was driving towards the officer.[23] However, since the video was released, this claim has faced significant criticism.[6] Yassine Bouzrou, a lawyer representing Nahel, has stated that the video completely disproves this assertion and alleges that the brigadier had an "intention to kill."[6] Other lawyers representing Nahel have made similar remarks.[24]

Two investigations have been initiated: the first for "refusal to comply" and "attempted voluntary homicide against a person in authority," and the second for "voluntary homicide by a person in authority." The latter investigation has been assigned to the General Inspectorate of the National Police (IGPN).[25][26]

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 fireworks at police.[27] In Viry-Châtillon, just south of Paris, a group of youths reportedly set a bus ablaze.[5]

In Mantes-la-Jolie, a town 25 miles northwest of Paris,[28] the town hall was set ablaze after being firebombed[29] on the night of 27 June, burning until 3:15 (CEST).[5][30] Clashes continued throughout the night across France, including Toulouse and Lille.[5] Unrest was also reported in Asnières, Colombes, Suresnes, Aubervilliers, Clichy-sous-Bois and Mantes-la-Jolie.[19]

By 29 June, over 150 people had been arrested,[31] 24 officers had been injured, and 40 cars had been torched.[32][6] 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.[6][5][32] On 29 June, Darmanin announced that the government would deploy 40,000 troops nationwide.[33]

On 29 June, a vigil march was held in Nanterre in memory of Nahel.[34]

Reactions to unrest

In the same speech where Macron denounced the police, he also called for protestors to be peaceful.[6] The Interior Ministry urged for calm after the first day of unrest.[35] Nanterre mayor Patrick Jarry, though expressing "shock" over the video,[15] 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."[5]

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.[36] 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 overseen several riotous unrests in France during his presidency, including the yellow vests protests and the ongoing protests resulting from attempted reforms of the French pension system.[37]

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,[35] who in the wake of recent crime surges are often hesitant to chastise police.[3] French football player Kylian Mbappé took to Twitter to denounce the incident as "unacceptable" and sent condolences to Nahel's family.[9] French actor and comedian Omar Sy sent his condolences to Nahel's family.[19]

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,[6] calling for "a revolt for my son."[3] 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."[16]

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."[9]

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.[38]

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.[24] 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."[32]

The French National Assembly held a minute of silence to mourn the incident.[17] 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".[37]

The Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs published a statement on June 29 in which it expressed that Algeria learned with "shock and consternation the brutal and tragic disappearance of the young Nahel" and that the country is following the case with "great attention,"[39] while also adding that Algeria trusts the French government[40] to assume its duty of protection and security for Algerian nationals on French territory[41].

Similar case

On June 14, 2023, Alhoussein Camara, a 19-year-old, was killed during a road check in Angoulême. His body was repatriated to Conakry, Guinea, by his family and the Guinean authorities. While there, they appealed to France for justice to be served.[42]

References

  1. ^ Chrisafis, Angelique (30 June 2023). "France riots: Macron to hold crisis meeting as 667 arrested and violence spreads". The Guardian.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ "France criticised over police violence, racism at UN". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ "Adama Traoré: French anti-racism protests defy police ban". BBC News. 2 June 2020. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  9. ^ a b c "'I hurt for my France': Mbappe, Macron shocked by police killing". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  10. ^ a b c "Macron calls fatal shooting of teenager by police 'inexcusable'". The Independent. 28 June 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  11. ^ "Who is Nahel - teen shot dead by police in France - USTimesPost". 29 June 2023.
  12. ^ Chrisafis, Angelique (28 June 2023). "France police shooting: Macron says killing of teenager 'inexcusable'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  13. ^ "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.
  14. ^ 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.
  15. ^ a b c d "Unrest in Paris after 17-year-old boy shot dead by police". euronews. 28 June 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  16. ^ 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.
  17. ^ a b "France braces for protests after 'unforgivable' police shooting". France 24. 28 June 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  18. ^ 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)
  19. ^ a b c d "Anger in Paris after police kill teen in traffic stop". BBC News. 27 June 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  20. ^ a b Abboud, Leila (28 June 2023). "Protests break out in France after police shoot dead teenage driver". Financial Times. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  21. ^ "Kylian Mbappe speaks out after teen's killing by police sparks Paris riots". Sky News. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  22. ^ Deleon, Alina (29 June 2023). "Another night of fury and fire in France for the death of a young man shot by a police officer".
  23. ^ 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.
  24. ^ a b "Paris: Unrest suburb after police kill a 17-year-old – DW – 06/28/2023". dw.com. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  25. ^ "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.
  26. ^ 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
  27. ^ "France braces for further protests after police kill teenager". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  28. ^ Rabemanantsoa, Anna; Winsor, Morgan. "Teenager's death during police traffic stop sparks violent unrest in Paris suburb". ABC News. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  29. ^ Mortimer, Gavin (28 June 2023). "France erupts in violence after police shoot dead a teenager". The Spectator. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
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  32. ^ a b c Brudeau, Cain. "Riots, racial tensions erupt in France after fatal police shooting". Courthouse News Service. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
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  34. ^ Foroudi, Layli; Olive, Noemie (29 June 2023). "France unrest: Riots spread, thousands march in memory of shot teenager". Reuters. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
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  37. ^ a b "Paris shooting: Why French government backed family so fast". BBC News. 28 June 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  38. ^ "Mort de Nahel : une vidéo qui change tout et un cocktail explosif". Libération (in French). Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  39. ^ "Disparition du jeune Nahel: l'Algérie suit avec une "très grande attention" les développements de l'affaire". Algérie Presse Service (in French). 29 June 2023.
  40. ^ "Mort de Nahel en France : l'Algérie réagit". TSA (in French). 29 June 2023. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  41. ^ "France / Mort de Nahel : l'Algérie rappelle le "devoir de protection" de la France envers ses ressortissants". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  42. ^ "VIDEO Mise en examen pour homicide volontaire du policier auteur d'un tir mortel à Saint-Yrieix, près d'Angoulême". France 3 Nouvelle-Aquitaine. 29 June 2023.
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