Investigation against the police in France for harsh intervention in demonstrations

Since January, when demonstrations against the controversial pension reform began in France, 17 investigations have been opened for disproportionate use of force against police officers.

In statements to the French channel BFMTV, Agnes Thibault-Lecuivre, head of the Investigation Unit of the National Police (IGPN), affirmed that 17 judicial investigations have been launched against the pension reform since the first demonstrations in January.

Thibault-Lecuivre pointed out that especially recently there has been talk of a violent attitude change among police officers, which was not seen in the early days of the protests, and said that incidents related to this attitude change and radicalization also reached them. Thibault-Lecuivre, regarding the audio recordings of a group of police officers from the Riot Control Unit called “BRAV-M” insulting, threatening and slapping 7 protesters, said: “As a citizen, I was shocked to hear the recording. “These abuses are devastating to law enforcement and reflect badly on other exemplary police officers.”

EXPLANATION OF THE ‘FAILURE’ OF THE MINISTER OF THE INTERIOR

Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin also announced that 11 investigations have been opened against the police since March 16, when the government approved the pension reform bill. Darmanin defended the French police, accused of using disproportionate force against the protesters, arguing that there could be specific incidents due to fatigue.

The Council of Europe issued a statement condemning the disproportionate use of force by police in demonstrations across the country since March 16. The Council stated that this attitude of the police caused concern.

Demonstrations that broke out on March 16 continue in France following the government’s decision to approve the bill raising the retirement age by 2 years, without a vote. Violence is taking place in many parts of the country between the police and protesters, who have violently intervened in the demonstrations.

More than 1,000 people have been detained in protests across the country since March 16. (AA)