An investigation was opened on July 4 and entrusted to the IGPN, the “police of police”, after a teenager was blinded during urban riots on the night of July 1 to 2 in Chilly-Mazarin (Essonne), the Evry prosecutor’s office told AFP on Tuesday. The public prosecutor opened a preliminary investigation into willful violence committed by a person holding public authority “as soon as the facts were brought to [sa] knowledge, ”continued the prosecution, confirming information from Streetpress.
The facts took place while several French cities were the scene of nocturnal violence after the death of young Nahel, killed during a road check by a police officer on June 27 in Nanterre (Hauts-de-Seine). The head of the IGPN, Agnès Thibault-Lecuivre, declared on July 12 before the National Assembly’s law commission that her service had been seized of 21 investigations “of very different nature and seriousness” into the actions of the forces. order during these demonstrations and riots. As of July 21, “big twenty” procedures had been entrusted to the IGPN, according to an updated report from a source familiar with the matter.
On the sidelines of the riots
Jalil M., 15 years old at the time of the events, explained to Streetpress having been hit by LBD fire during the night of riots from July 1 to 2 in this city located about fifteen kilometers south of Paris. Also according to this media, he was subsequently hospitalized in an emergency and lost the sight of his right eye. The family and the teenager lodged a complaint with the General Inspectorate of the National Police (IGPN), according to a source familiar with the matter.
“According to the first elements of the investigation, the shooting took place during the urban riots and while the police were the subject of mortar fireworks,” detailed the prosecution to AFP. The young boy told Streetpress that he himself did not participate in these shootings. In the video published by this media, the teenager testifies in front of the camera, his right eye hidden by a thick bandage, visibly shocked.
Joined by AFP, the DVG mayor of Chilly-Mazarin, Rafika Rezgui, expressed her “support” for the family of the teenager and assured to be in contact with them to ensure that Jalil “benefits from the medical and psychological follow-up to which he is entitled”.