This is an important moment in the investigation into death of Nahelkilled by the shooting of a police officer Nanterre (Hauts-de-Seine) on June 27, 2023. Almost a year After the death of the young man (17 years old), justice brought together the main protagonists in the case on Sunday for a reconstruction of the facts, AFP learned from sources concordant. The police officer indicted for intentional homicide and his colleagues will be present, as will witnesses.
“For the first time, all parties will be confronted with their testimony at the crime scene, it is a powerful moment”underlines Nabil Boudilawyer for Nahel’s mother.
After the death of Nahel, nights of riots throughout France
The distribution on social networks of a video showing a police officer shooting the 17-year-old at point-blank range during a traffic control had generated several nights of violent riots.
Across France, fires in public buildings and infrastructure or looting of stores have caused damage worth a billion euros, according to the Senate. In Nanterre, not far from the roundabout where Nahel was killed and where the reconstruction will take place, certain buildings still bear traces.
The investigation into Nahel’s death, which has become a symbol of the debate on police violence, must in particular establish whether the use of the firearm was legitimate. A first police version, according to which the teenager had rushed towards the biker, was quickly refuted by the video of the events, broadcast on social networks.
The police officer responsible for the shooting released last November
For five months, the police officer responsible for the shooting, Florian M., aged 38 at the time of the incident, was placed in pre-trial detention. But in November, he was released and placed under judicial supervision after several requests from his counsel.
The judges who decided to release him recognized that he still existed “discrepancies between the different versions given”but that “the risk of consultation” now appeared, “in this configuration, less significant” And “cannot justify the continuation of pre-trial detention on this basis”.
“Judicial information has progressed”, the civil parties and the two police officers having been interviewed, indicated the magistrates. They also point out that “if the disturbance to public order remains”, “it is less than date of placement in pre-trial detention”.
A prize pool that created controversy
After Florian M.’s release, Mounia, Nahel’s mother who was raising him alone, called for a rally to which a few hundred people attended peacefully.
“A police officer kills a child, Arab or black, becomes a millionaire and leaves prison, reunites with his family peacefully for the holidays”she lamented in a video, in reference to the kitty which raised more than 1.6 million euros in support of the police officer’s family.
“She is very stressed, it brings back bad memories”estimates Me Boudi, his advice. Florian M.’s lawyer did not respond to AFP’s requests.
Sunday’s reconstruction should in any case contribute to moving justice forward on the path to truth in a still highly sensitive matter.
