On August 8, French prosecutors said that five police officers had just been arrested in connection with the death of a 27-year-old man in the southern city of Marseille.
All five officers are members of the elite Assault unit, according to prosecutors. They were detained for questioning as part of the investigation into the death of Mohamed Bendriss. Several citizens and police officers have also provided witness statements.
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Protesters clash with police in Marseille, June 30, 2023. |
In late June and early July, France was shaken by riots in protest of the shooting death of 17-year-old Nahel M. by a police officer for not obeying traffic signals. The authorities cracked down on the riots. Hundreds of people were arrested and hundreds of police officers were injured.
The incident involving Mr. Bendriss occurred on the night of the riots on July 1-2. The man died suddenly while riding a scooter. An autopsy revealed that his chest bore marks that appeared to be from a rubber bullet commonly used by the French police.
The investigation is the latest controversy to hit Marseille police. Earlier this summer, a 22-year-old man had part of his skull removed after being beaten and shot by a group of suspected city police officers on July 21. Four officers have been charged in the case.
Three have been released but remain under house arrest. The fourth remains in custody pending further investigation. The detention of the police officer has sparked controversy within the French police.
Former FBI agent Robert Hanssen, who was sentenced to life in prison for spying for Russia, was found dead on June 5 in his cell at Florence ADMAX in Colorado (USA).
According to VNA
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