A video obtained and reviewed by France Inter shows a 39-year-old man being struck by a group of CRS riot police officers during a demonstration against the high cost of living in Marseille on October 31. The footage, filmed by an independent journalist working with the outlet CLPress, has prompted prosecutors to open an investigation into violence by a person in a position of public authority.
Running From a Police Charge
The images show the man, identified as Rémi Aubert, running to escape a police charge before falling to the ground at around 8:30 p.m. at the intersection of Boulevard Chave and Rue de Bruys. As he lies on the ground, he can be heard shouting, “I’m not angry, I’m not angry!” while receiving baton blows, kicks and a slap from the officers.
According to France Inter’s analysis of the footage, a group of protesters had been chanting slogans hostile to the police. A first line of CRS officers approached from below while a second arrived from the upper end of Boulevard Chave to encircle the group and form a trap. A police officer can be heard saying, “The colleagues are pushing them back up, the guys!” At that moment, several protesters, including Aubert, began running toward Rue de Bruys.
Struck, Then Slapped Again
After striking him, the group of CRS officers moved on without arresting the man, who sat on the ground motionless and silent. One officer stayed behind to pick up a baton from the ground and then slapped Aubert across the face, knocking him to the ground once more before running off.
Severe Physical and Psychological Injuries
The victim’s injuries are significant. According to the medical report from the emergency room, which France Inter consulted, he had seven teeth knocked out, a broken nose, three stitches to his lip and two at the base of his skull. Aubert, a self-employed podiatrist, has also suffered psychological after-effects since the assault, including insomnia and anxiety. He has had to pause his practice and cancel appointments for several weeks.
Investigation Entrusted to the IGPN
The man has filed a complaint. The Marseille prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation into violence committed by a person in a position of public authority with a weapon, and the case has been entrusted to the IGPN, France’s “police of the police.”
Contacted by France Inter, the Bouches-du-Rhône prefecture and the Marseille prosecutor’s office said they would wait for the conclusions of the IGPN investigation before commenting on the case.
More Than 100 Investigations Opened
According to the latest count provided to franceinfo in early November, 118 investigations have been opened and entrusted to the IGPN and the IGGN, its gendarmerie counterpart, since the start of the high school protest movement in mid-September and during the mobilizations of October 17, 24 and 31.
