Youssouf Traore, during a rally to demand the release of demonstrators taken into police custody, July 9, 2023 in Paris. BERTRAND GUAY / AFP
While an investigation into the conditions of his arrest is underway, four police officers have filed a complaint against Youssouf Traoré, in particular for violence and rebellion.
Police officers have filed a complaint against Youssouf Traoré, in particular for violence and rebellion, while the police force (IGPN) is investigating the conditions of his arrest on the sidelines of a march in memory of his brother Adama, learned Thursday July 13 l AFP to the Paris prosecutor’s office.
A flagrant investigation was opened on Saturday July 8, Youssouf (Yssoufou on his marital status) Traoré being accused of having struck a commissioner at the start of a prohibited march, which gathered nearly 2,000 people in the capital. . Youssouf Traoré was then arrested during the calm dispersal of the participants. Then his police custody was lifted, due to his hospitalization.
Complaints from four police officers
Complaints from four police officers, who notably participated in his arrest, were joined to the flagrant investigation carried out by the Paris Territorial Security. These officials accuse him of willful violence against a person holding public authority, rebellion and threats. On the video of his arrest, filmed by several witnesses, we see Mr. Traoré, 29, resist before being tackled and held to the ground by several officials from the Brav-M, a motorcycle police unit whose behavior has was decried during the mobilization against the pension reform in the spring.
Read alsoProhibited demonstrations, multiple run-ins with the law: the endless arm wrestling of the Traoré clan with the state
For his part, Mr. Traoré obtained referral to the General Inspectorate of the National Police (IGPN) for intentional violence resulting in less than eight days of total incapacity for work and committed by a person holding public authority. The IGPN is also investigating the complaint of a young woman, pushed to the ground by a police officer. The complaints of two journalists denouncing similar facts are being analyzed by the prosecution.
Other complaints added to the investigation
In addition, other police complaints, denouncing acts of contempt, were joined to an investigation opened for the organization of a demonstration prohibited on the public highway, also led by the Territorial Security of Paris. The authorities had banned the march, citing a tense context in France, after several consecutive nights of riots following the death of young Nahel, killed by a police officer during a road check in Nanterre on June 27.
New call for mobilization
After the arrest of Youssouf Traoré, associations, unions and political parties classified on the left called for a new mobilization against police violence on Saturday in Paris. Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin announced on Wednesday July 12 that it would also be banned.