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Revision as of 01:41, 13 July 2023 editMitch Ames (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers185,949 edits top: "French" is an adjective, never a noun. "17-year-old" can be an adjective or a noun phrase.← Previous edit Latest revision as of 09:05, 12 November 2024 edit undoCitation bot (talk | contribs)Bots5,405,746 edits Altered trans-title. | Use this bot. Report bugs. | Suggested by Spinixster | Category:Filmed killings by law enforcement | #UCB_Category 114/126 
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| coordinates = {{Coord|48.8985|N|2.2213|E|display=inline,title}} | coordinates = {{Coord|48.8985|N|2.2213|E|display=inline,title}}
| type = Police shooting | type = Police shooting
| accused = Florian M.
| outcome = ]
| charges = Voluntary homicide by a person in authority
| outcome = ]
| reported deaths = Nahel Merzouk | reported deaths = Nahel Merzouk
}} }}


On 27 June 2023, '''Nahel Merzouk''', a ] 17-year-old of ] and ]<ref>{{Cite news |last=Porter |first=Catherine |date=2023-06-29 |title=Who is Nahel Merzouk? |language=en-US |work=] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/29/world/europe/nahel-france-police-shooting-nanterre.html |access-date=2023-07-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701042042/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/29/world/europe/nahel-france-police-shooting-nanterre.html |archive-date=4 July 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> descent, was shot and killed by police in ], a suburb of Paris, France. Initial reporting on the incident, informed by police statements, was later contradicted by a video posted online, which led to ]. Symbols of the state such as town halls, schools, and police stations, as well as other buildings were attacked.<ref>{{cite news |date=1 July 2023 |title=Death of Nahel M.: Over 1,300 arrested during Friday night riots |work=] |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/france/article/2023/07/01/riots-continue-into-friday-night-throughout-france-with-hundreds-more-arrested_6040540_7.html |url-status=live |access-date=1 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701214057/https://www.lemonde.fr/en/france/article/2023/07/01/riots-continue-into-friday-night-throughout-france-with-hundreds-more-arrested_6040540_7.html |archive-date=1 July 2023}}</ref> The ] reported that more than 5,000 vehicles had been set on fire, along with 10,000 garbage cans; nearly 1,000 buildings had been burnt, damaged or looted; 250 police stations and ]s had been attacked; and more than 700 police officers had been injured.<ref>{{cite news |title=Riots in France: The appalling toll of days and nights of looting, fires, assaults |work=] |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/france/article/2023/07/03/looting-fires-assaults-the-appalling-toll-of-five-days-and-nights-of-rioting-in-france_6042014_7.html |access-date=4 July 2023 |archive-date=5 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705030132/https://www.lemonde.fr/en/france/article/2023/07/03/looting-fires-assaults-the-appalling-toll-of-five-days-and-nights-of-rioting-in-france_6042014_7.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=riots-shake-france/> On 27 June 2023, '''Nahel Merzouk''' (25 February 2006 – 27 June 2023),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deces.matchid.io/id/UvTdk72G0lTn|title=matchID - Moteur de recherche des décès|website=deces.matchid.io|access-date=19 July 2023|archive-date=13 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230713145437/https://deces.matchid.io/id/UvTdk72G0lTn|url-status=live}}</ref> a 17-year-old ] youth of ] and ]n descent,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Porter |first=Catherine |date=29 June 2023 |title=Who is Nahel Merzouk? |language=en-US |work=] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/29/world/europe/nahel-france-police-shooting-nanterre.html |access-date=5 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701042042/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/29/world/europe/nahel-france-police-shooting-nanterre.html |archive-date=1 July 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> was shot at ] and killed by police officer Florian M., when he didn't comply with a request to turn off ignition and attempted to drive away in ], a suburb of ], ]. Initial reporting on the incident (informed by police statements) was later contradicted by a video posted online, which led to ]. Symbols of the state such as town halls, schools, police stations, and other buildings were attacked.<ref>{{cite news |date=1 July 2023 |title=Death of Nahel M.: Over 1,300 arrested during Friday night riots |work=] |agency=] & ] |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/france/article/2023/07/01/riots-continue-into-friday-night-throughout-france-with-hundreds-more-arrested_6040540_7.html |url-status=live |access-date=1 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701214057/https://www.lemonde.fr/en/france/article/2023/07/01/riots-continue-into-friday-night-throughout-france-with-hundreds-more-arrested_6040540_7.html |archive-date=1 July 2023}}</ref> The ] reported that more than 5,000 vehicles had been set on fire, along with 10,000 garbage cans; nearly 1,000 buildings had been burnt, damaged or looted; 250 police stations and ]s had been attacked; and more than 700 police officers had been injured.<ref>{{cite news |first1=Antoine |last1=Albertini |first2=Luc |last2=Bronner |title=Riots in France: The appalling toll of days and nights of looting, fires, assaults |work=] |date=3 July 2023 |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/france/article/2023/07/03/looting-fires-assaults-the-appalling-toll-of-five-days-and-nights-of-rioting-in-france_6042014_7.html |access-date=4 July 2023 |archive-date=5 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705030132/https://www.lemonde.fr/en/france/article/2023/07/03/looting-fires-assaults-the-appalling-toll-of-five-days-and-nights-of-rioting-in-france_6042014_7.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="riots-shake-france"/>


The killing—condemned by President ] as "inexplicable" and "inexcusable"<ref>{{cite news |author=M. I. |agency=AFP |title=Mineur tué à Nanterre : Macron évoque un acte " inexplicable " et " inexcusable " |language=fr |trans-title=Minor killed in Nanterre: Macron evokes an "inexplicable" and "inexcusable" act |url=https://www.lepoint.fr/politique/mineur-tue-a-nanterre-macron-evoque-un-acte-inexplicable-et-inexcusable-28-06-2023-2526553_20.php#11 |access-date=15 July 2023 |publisher=Le Point |date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230713004306/https://www.lepoint.fr/politique/mineur-tue-a-nanterre-macron-evoque-un-acte-inexplicable-et-inexcusable-28-06-2023-2526553_20.php#11 |archive-date=13 July 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref>—became part of a broader public debate regarding aggressive French law enforcement,<ref name="sorrow">{{Cite news |last1=Breeden |first1=Aurelien |last2=Méheut |first2=Constant |date=28 June 2023 |title=Protests and Sorrow After Fatal Police Traffic Encounter in France |language=en-US |work=] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/28/world/europe/france-police-shooting-paris-nanterre.html |url-status=live |access-date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630013949/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/28/world/europe/france-police-shooting-paris-nanterre.html |archive-date=30 June 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> ],<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/02/france-nahel-soccer-hijab.html |title=A Fatal Shooting and a Hijab Ban: Two Faces of France's Racial Divisions |last=Porter |first=Catherine |date=2 July 2023 |quote=In 2017, an investigation by France’s civil liberties ombudsman, the Défenseur des Droits, found that “young men perceived to be Black or Arab” were 20 times as likely to be subjected to police identity checks compared with the rest of the population. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230712025834/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/02/france-nahel-soccer-hijab.html |archive-date=12 July 2023 |access-date=15 July 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref> immigration,<ref>{{Cite news |work=Public Sénat |title=Sécurité, immigration : le tournant identitaire de LR embarrasse la majorité sénatoriale |last=Barbarit |first=Simon |language=fr |url=https://www.publicsenat.fr/actualites/politique/securite-immigration-le-tournant-identitaire-de-lr-embarrasse-la-majorite-senatoriale |date=11 July 2023 |access-date=24 July 2023 |archive-date=24 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724085609/https://www.publicsenat.fr/actualites/politique/securite-immigration-le-tournant-identitaire-de-lr-embarrasse-la-majorite-senatoriale |url-status=live }}</ref> and the stakes of naming the suburban violence a "riot" rather than a "revolt".<ref name="revolt or riot">{{Cite news |newspaper=Ouest France |title=Mort de Nahel. Violences, révolte… Pourquoi l'expression " émeute " s'est imposée |last=Lescarmontier |first=Julie |date=5 July 2023 |language=fr |url=https://www.ouest-france.fr/faits-divers/emeutes-urbaines/mort-de-nahel-violences-revolte-pourquoi-lexpression-emeute-sest-imposee-c39ab18e-1b06-11ee-9805-48f2f86dced9 |access-date=25 July 2023 |archive-date=12 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230712040653/https://www.ouest-france.fr/faits-divers/emeutes-urbaines/mort-de-nahel-violences-revolte-pourquoi-lexpression-emeute-sest-imposee-c39ab18e-1b06-11ee-9805-48f2f86dced9 |url-status=live }}</ref> On 28 June, the president of the ], ], asked deputies "to respect a minute of silence in Nahel's memory".<ref>{{Cite news |work=LCI |date=28 June 2023 |language=fr |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejPv7ZZbnTY |title=Une minute de silence à l'Assemblée nationale pour Nahel, tué à Nanterre |access-date=28 July 2023 |archive-date=28 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230728104559/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejPv7ZZbnTY |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":12">{{Cite web |date=28 June 2023 |title=France braces for protests after 'unforgivable' police shooting |agency=AFP |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20230628-protests-flare-up-in-france-after-police-shoot-teenager |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629054751/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20230628-protests-flare-up-in-france-after-police-shoot-teenager |archive-date=29 June 2023 |access-date=28 June 2023 |website=] |language=en}}</ref>
The killing became part of a broader public debate regarding French law enforcement, violence, immigration and integration of ] with an ].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.telerama.fr/television/immigration-barbares-et-guerre-civile-apres-la-mort-de-nahel-les-chaines-info-peaufinent-leurs-analyses-7016323.php | title=Immigration, barbares et guerre civile : Après la mort de Nahel, les chaînes info peaufinent leurs analyses | date=6 July 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://atlantico.fr/article/decryptage/les-emeutiers-des-francais-qui-ne-se-sentent-pas-comme-les-autres-cette-analyse-interdite-a-la-droite-mais-revendiquee-par-l-extreme-gauche-celine-pina-malik-bezouh-violences-urbaines-emeutes-emeutiers-identite-nationale | title=Emeutes : Pourquoi la droite n'a-t-elle pas le droit de dire que les émeutiers sont des Français qui ne se sentent pas comme les autres ? | date=8 July 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |first=Jules |last=Pecnard |date=7 July 2023 |url=https://www.marianne.net/politique/droite/ordre-delinquance-immigration-lr-se-raccroche-aux-emeutes-pour-survivre |title=Ordre, délinquance, immigration… LR se raccroche aux émeutes pour survivre |trans-title=Order, delinquency, immigration… LR clings to the riots to survive |language=fr |access-date=8 July 2023 |archive-date=8 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230708184227/https://www.marianne.net/politique/droite/ordre-delinquance-immigration-lr-se-raccroche-aux-emeutes-pour-survivre |url-status=live}}</ref> The killing was condemned, soon after, by President ] as "inexcusable", which itself created controversy.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4TMo9fDArg&ab_channel=Europe1</ref><ref>https://www.lepoint.fr/politique/mineur-tue-a-nanterre-macron-evoque-un-acte-inexplicable-et-inexcusable-28-06-2023-2526553_20.php#11</ref>


== Background == == Background ==
{{See also|Crime in France|Law enforcement in France}} {{See also|Crime in France|Law enforcement in France}}
]
France saw a rise in police violence in the years before the killing.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite news |date=27 June 2023 |title=Tensions erupt in a Paris suburb after a 17-year-old Arab man of Algerian descent, a delivery driver, is killed in a police standoff |url=https://apnews.com/article/france-driver-killed-police-tensions-2030c42cce9c24153d395a07d8e95b75 |access-date=28 June 2023 |work=] |language=en |archive-date=29 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629001623/https://apnews.com/article/france-driver-killed-police-tensions-2030c42cce9c24153d395a07d8e95b75 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2017, a law was passed permitting police to shoot at a vehicle fleeing a traffic stop, if the driver was putting the passengers or passersby at risk.<ref>{{cite web |website=Public Sénat |lang=fr |first=Simon |last=Barbarit |url=https://www.publicsenat.fr/actualites/politique/refus-dobtemperer-la-porte-parole-de-la-police-nationale-annonce-138-tirs-en-2022 |title=Refus d'obtempérer: la porte-parole de la police nationale annonce 138 tirs en 2022 |trans-title=Refusal to comply: the spokesperson for the national police announces 138 shootings in 2022 |date=29 June 2023 |access-date=1 July 2023 |archive-date=30 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630083444/https://www.publicsenat.fr/actualites/politique/refus-dobtemperer-la-porte-parole-de-la-police-nationale-annonce-138-tirs-en-2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> This shooting was the third fatal shooting that occurred during a traffic stop in France in 2023. In 2020, there were three deaths, followed by two in 2021, and 13 in 2022. The victims were often people of ] or ]i origin, leading to allegations of ] within the French police.<ref name=":6">{{Cite news |last1=Foroudi |first1=Layli |last2=Jabkhiro |first2=Juliette |date=28 June 2023 |title=Paris police shooting: Macron deplores 'inexcusable' killing of teenager |language=en |work=] |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/youths-clash-with-police-near-paris-after-teenager-shot-dead-traffic-stop-2023-06-28/ |access-date=28 June 2023 |archive-date=30 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630014015/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/youths-clash-with-police-near-paris-after-teenager-shot-dead-traffic-stop-2023-06-28/ |url-status=live}}</ref> In May 2023, national representatives at the ] criticized the country's police force and urged the implementation of significant measures to address excessive use of force in demonstrations.<ref>{{Cite news |title=France criticised over police violence, racism at UN |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/5/1/france-criticised-at-un-over-police-violence-racism |access-date=28 June 2023 |work=] |language=en |archive-date=29 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629190800/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/5/1/france-criticised-at-un-over-police-violence-racism |url-status=live}}</ref> The French government has frequently downplayed instances of ], sometimes even avoiding the use of the term itself, while ]s opposed repealing or revising the 2017 law.<ref name=":13">{{Cite news |last1=Breeden |first1=Aurelien |last2=Méheut |first2=Constant |date=28 June 2023 |title=Anger Flares in France After Police Shoot and Kill Teenage Driver |language=en-US |work=] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/28/world/europe/france-police-shooting-paris-nanterre.html |access-date=28 June 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=30 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630013949/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/28/world/europe/france-police-shooting-paris-nanterre.html |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2022, approximately five officers were indicted in relation to the aforementioned shootings.<ref name=":9">{{Cite news |last1=Bisset |first1=Victoria |last2=Suliman |first2=Adela |date=28 June 2023 |title=Protests erupt in Paris after police shoot, kill teen during traffic stop |language=en-US |newspaper=] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/06/28/france-police-shooting-nanterre-nael/ |access-date=28 June 2023 |issn=0190-8286}}</ref>


France saw a rise in ] in the years before the killing.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite news |date=27 June 2023 |title=Tensions erupt in a Paris suburb after a 17-year-old Arab man of Algerian descent, a delivery driver, is killed in a police standoff |url=https://apnews.com/article/france-driver-killed-police-tensions-2030c42cce9c24153d395a07d8e95b75 |access-date=28 June 2023 |work=] |language=en |archive-date=29 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629001623/https://apnews.com/article/france-driver-killed-police-tensions-2030c42cce9c24153d395a07d8e95b75 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2017, a law was passed permitting police to shoot at a vehicle fleeing a traffic stop, if the driver was putting the passengers or passersby at risk. This shooting was the third fatal shooting that occurred during a traffic stop in France in 2023. In 2020, there were three deaths, followed by two in 2021, and 13 in 2022,<ref>{{cite web |website=Public Sénat |language=fr |first=Simon |last=Barbarit |url=https://www.publicsenat.fr/actualites/politique/refus-dobtemperer-la-porte-parole-de-la-police-nationale-annonce-138-tirs-en-2022 |title=Refus d'obtempérer: la porte-parole de la police nationale annonce 138 tirs en 2022 |trans-title=Refusal to comply: the spokesperson for the national police announces 138 shootings in 2022 |date=29 June 2023 |access-date=1 July 2023 |archive-date=30 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630083444/https://www.publicsenat.fr/actualites/politique/refus-dobtemperer-la-porte-parole-de-la-police-nationale-annonce-138-tirs-en-2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> leading to the indictment of five police officers.<ref name=":9">{{Cite news |last1=Bisset |first1=Victoria |last2=Suliman |first2=Adela |date=28 June 2023 |title=Protests erupt in Paris after police shoot, kill teen during traffic stop |language=en-US |newspaper=] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/06/28/france-police-shooting-nanterre-nael/ |access-date=28 June 2023 |issn=0190-8286}}</ref> The victims were often people of ] or ]i origin, leading to allegations of ] within the French police.<ref name=":6">{{Cite news |last1=Foroudi |first1=Layli |last2=Jabkhiro |first2=Juliette |date=28 June 2023 |title=Paris police shooting: Macron deplores 'inexcusable' killing of teenager |language=en |work=] |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/youths-clash-with-police-near-paris-after-teenager-shot-dead-traffic-stop-2023-06-28/ |access-date=28 June 2023 |archive-date=30 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630014015/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/youths-clash-with-police-near-paris-after-teenager-shot-dead-traffic-stop-2023-06-28/ |url-status=live}}</ref> In May 2023, national representatives at the ] criticized the country's police force and urged the implementation of significant measures to address excessive use of force in demonstrations.<ref>{{Cite news |title=France criticised over police violence, racism at UN |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/5/1/france-criticised-at-un-over-police-violence-racism |date=1 May 2023 |access-date=28 June 2023 |work=] |language=en |archive-date=29 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629190800/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/5/1/france-criticised-at-un-over-police-violence-racism |url-status=live}}</ref> The French government has frequently downplayed instances of ], sometimes even avoiding the use of the term itself, while ]s opposed repealing or revising the 2017 law.<ref name="sorrow" />
On 19 July 2016, ], a 24-year-old black man in France, with a heavy criminal record, died while in custody after being restrained and apprehended by the police.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Amrani |first1=Iman |last2=Chrisafis |first2=Angelique |date=17 February 2017 |title=Adama Traoré's death in police custody casts long shadow over French society |language=en-GB |work=] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/feb/17/adama-traore-death-in-police-custody-casts-long-shadow-over-french-society |access-date=28 June 2023 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200514103256/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/feb/17/adama-traore-death-in-police-custody-casts-long-shadow-over-french-society |archive-date=14 May 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> This incident sparked widespread public outcry and protests, which reignited in May 2020 when the officers involved were cleared of any wrongdoing.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2 June 2020 |title=Adama Traoré: French anti-racism protests defy police ban |language=en-GB |work=] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-52898262 |access-date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603220150/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-52898262 |archive-date=3 June 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":9" /> On 14 June 2023, {{illm|Alhoussein Camara|fr|Mort d'Alhoussein Camara}}, a 19-year-old, was killed during a road check in ]. His body was ] to ], ], by his family and the Guinean authorities. While there, they appealed to France for justice to be served.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/https://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/nouvelle-aquitaine/charente/angouleme/video-mise-en-examen-pour-homicide-volontaire-du-policier-auteur-d-un-tir-mortel-a-angouleme-2804810.html-2804810.html |title=VIDEO Mise en examen pour homicide volontaire du policier auteur d'un tir mortel à Saint-Yrieix, près d'Angoulême |trans-title=VIDEO Indictment for intentional homicide of the police officer who shot deadly in Saint-Yrieix, near Angoulême |language=fr |date=29 June 2023 |website=France 3 Nouvelle-Aquitaine |access-date=30 June 2023 |archive-date=30 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630203453/https://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/nouvelle-aquitaine/charente/angouleme/video-mise-en-examen-pour-homicide-volontaire-du-policier-auteur-d-un-tir-mortel-a-angouleme-2804810.html |url-status=live}}</ref>


On 19 July 2016, ], a 24-year-old black man, died while in custody after being restrained and apprehended by the police.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Amrani |first1=Iman |last2=Chrisafis |first2=Angelique |date=17 February 2017 |title=Adama Traoré's death in police custody casts long shadow over French society |language=en-GB |work=] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/feb/17/adama-traore-death-in-police-custody-casts-long-shadow-over-french-society |access-date=28 June 2023 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200514103256/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/feb/17/adama-traore-death-in-police-custody-casts-long-shadow-over-french-society |archive-date=14 May 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> This incident sparked widespread public outcry and protests, which reignited in May 2020 when the officers involved were cleared of any wrongdoing.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2 June 2020 |title=Adama Traoré: French anti-racism protests defy police ban |language=en-GB |work=] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-52898262 |access-date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603220150/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-52898262 |archive-date=3 June 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":9" /> On 14 June 2023, Alhoussein Camara, a 19-year-old, was killed during a road check in ]. His body was ] to ], ], by his family and the Guinean authorities. While there, they appealed to France for justice to be served.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/https://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/nouvelle-aquitaine/charente/angouleme/video-mise-en-examen-pour-homicide-volontaire-du-policier-auteur-d-un-tir-mortel-a-angouleme-2804810.html-2804810.html |title=VIDEO Mise en examen pour homicide volontaire du policier auteur d'un tir mortel à Saint-Yrieix, près d'Angoulême |trans-title=VIDEO Indictment for intentional homicide of the police officer who shot deadly in Saint-Yrieix, near Angoulême |language=fr |date=29 June 2023 |website=France 3 Nouvelle-Aquitaine |access-date=30 June 2023 |archive-date=30 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630203453/https://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/nouvelle-aquitaine/charente/angouleme/video-mise-en-examen-pour-homicide-volontaire-du-policier-auteur-d-un-tir-mortel-a-angouleme-2804810.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
== Victim ==
Nahel Merzouk was a 17-year-old enrolled at the Lycée Louis-Blériot in ], where he attended classes for six months, and then stopped going to school. Merzouk worked as a pizza delivery driver in Nanterre.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ladepeche.fr/2023/06/28/nahel-tue-a-nanterre-par-un-policier-livreur-de-pizzas-joueur-de-rugby-sans-casier-qui-etait-ladolescent-11307071.php |title=Nahel, tué à Nanterre par un policier : joueur de rugby, livreur de pizzas, sans casier... qui était l'adolescent? |trans-title=Nahel, killed in Nanterre by a policeman: rugby player, pizza delivery man, no record... who was the teenager? |website=] |language=fr |access-date=1 July 2023 |archive-date=29 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629183313/https://www.ladepeche.fr/2023/06/28/nahel-tue-a-nanterre-par-un-policier-livreur-de-pizzas-joueur-de-rugby-sans-casier-qui-etait-ladolescent-11307071.php |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=28 June 2023 |title=Rugby, livreur, justice…: qui était Nahel, 17 ans, tué par un policier mardi à Nanterre |url=https://www.lavoixdunord.fr/1345932/article/2023-06-28/rugby-livreur-justice-qui-etait-nael-17-ans-tue-par-un-policier-mardi-nanterre |access-date=30 June 2023 |website=] |language=fr |archive-date=29 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629010447/https://www.lavoixdunord.fr/1345932/article/2023-06-28/rugby-livreur-justice-qui-etait-nael-17-ans-tue-par-un-policier-mardi-nanterre |url-status=live}}</ref> According to a paramedic who knew Merzouk, his father left his mother before Merzouk was born.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 June 2023 |title="C'était ma vie" : la mère de Nahel, tué par un policier, anéantie après la mort de son fils unique |trans-title="It was my life": Nahel's mother, killed by a police officer, devastated after the death of her only son |url=https://www.lavoixdunord.fr/1345899/article/2023-06-28/adolescent-tue-par-un-policier-la-mere-de-nael-exprime-son-chagrin-apres-la-mort |access-date=30 June 2023 |website=] |language=fr |archive-date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628095230/https://www.lavoixdunord.fr/1345899/article/2023-06-28/adolescent-tue-par-un-policier-la-mere-de-nael-exprime-son-chagrin-apres-la-mort |url-status=live}}</ref>
According to his family's lawyers, Merzouk did not have a criminal record,<ref>{{Cite news |date=30 June 2023 |title=France shooting: Who was Nahel M, shot by French police in Nanterre? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66052104 |access-date=30 June 2023 |work=] |language=en |archive-date=30 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630003658/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66052104 |url-status=live}}</ref> but he was "known to the police, particularly for resisting arrest", and had been charged with resisting the previous weekend<ref>{{cite news |date=27 June 2023 |title=A Nanterre, un ado de 17 ans tué par la police lors d'un contrôle routier : ce que l'on sait des faits |trans-title=In Nanterre, a 17-year-old teenager killed by the police during a traffic check: what we know about the facts |language=fr |work=] |url=https://www.nouvelobs.com/faits-divers/20230627.OBS75039/ado-de-17-ans-tue-par-la-police-apres-un-controle-routier-ce-que-l-on-sait-des-faits.html |access-date=30 June 2023 |quote=il était « connu des services de la justice notamment pour refus d'obtempérer » avait été déféré au parquet de Nanterre le week-end dernier, pour refus d'obtempérer Il avait également été mis en cause pour un autres refus d'obtempérer en 2022 |trans-quote=he was "known to the justice services, in particular for refusing to comply" had been referred to the Nanterre prosecutor's office last weekend, for refusing to comply He had also been placed in cause for another refusal to comply in 2022 |archive-date=29 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629181837/https://www.nouvelobs.com/faits-divers/20230627.OBS75039/ado-de-17-ans-tue-par-la-police-apres-un-controle-routier-ce-que-l-on-sait-des-faits.html |url-status=live}}</ref> and five times since 2021. His judicial file included 15 recorded incidents, including use of false license plates, driving without insurance, and for the sale and consumption of drugs.<ref>{{cite news |first=Louis de |last=Raguenel |date=29 June 2023 |title=Mort de Nahel : l'adolescent connu pour 15 mentions au fichier des antécédents judiciaires |trans-title=Death of Nahel: the teenager known for 15 mentions in the criminal history file |language=fr |work=] |url=https://www.europe1.fr/faits-divers/info-europe-1-mort-de-nahel-ladolescent-connu-pour-15-mentions-au-fichier-des-antecedents-judiciaires-4191433 |access-date=30 June 2023 |archive-date=29 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629235208/https://www.europe1.fr/faits-divers/info-europe-1-mort-de-nahel-ladolescent-connu-pour-15-mentions-au-fichier-des-antecedents-judiciaires-4191433 |url-status=live}}</ref>


== Victim ==
On 1 July 2023, Merzouk was buried at the ] cemetery park in the Muslim section in Nanterre.<ref>{{cite news |title=Mort de Nahel M. à Nanterre : rage contenue et douleur aux funérailles de l'adolescent |trans-title=Death of Nahel M. in Nanterre: contained rage and pain at the teenager's funeral |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2023/07/01/rage-contenue-et-douleur-aux-funerailles-de-nahel-m-a-nanterre_6180165_3224.html |work=] |date=1 July 2023 |language=fr |access-date=1 July 2023 |archive-date=1 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701214058/https://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2023/07/01/rage-contenue-et-douleur-aux-funerailles-de-nahel-m-a-nanterre_6180165_3224.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
'''Nahel Merzouk''' ({{IPA|fr|naɛl mɛʁzuk}}; {{langx|ar|نايل مرزوق}}) was a 17-year-old enrolled at the Lycée Louis-Blériot in ], where he attended classes for six months before dropping out and working as a pizza delivery driver in Nanterre.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Cyril |last=Brioulet |date=28 June 2023 |url=https://www.ladepeche.fr/2023/06/28/nahel-tue-a-nanterre-par-un-policier-livreur-de-pizzas-joueur-de-rugby-sans-casier-qui-etait-ladolescent-11307071.php |title=Nahel, tué à Nanterre par un policier : joueur de rugby, livreur de pizzas, sans casier... qui était l'adolescent? |trans-title=Nahel, killed in Nanterre by a policeman: rugby player, pizza delivery man, no record... who was the teenager? |website=] |language=fr |access-date=1 July 2023 |archive-date=29 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629183313/https://www.ladepeche.fr/2023/06/28/nahel-tue-a-nanterre-par-un-policier-livreur-de-pizzas-joueur-de-rugby-sans-casier-qui-etait-ladolescent-11307071.php |url-status=live}}</ref> He did not have a driving license allowing him to drive the rented Mercedes he died in.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 June 2023 |title=Rugby, livreur, justice…: qui était Nahel, 17 ans, tué par un policier mardi à Nanterre |url=https://www.lavoixdunord.fr/1345932/article/2023-06-28/rugby-livreur-justice-qui-etait-nael-17-ans-tue-par-un-policier-mardi-nanterre |access-date=30 June 2023 |website=] |language=fr |archive-date=29 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629010447/https://www.lavoixdunord.fr/1345932/article/2023-06-28/rugby-livreur-justice-qui-etait-nael-17-ans-tue-par-un-policier-mardi-nanterre |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Lepoivre |first=Ambre |title=Refus d'obtempérer, conduite sans permis, stupéfiants: Nahel était connu au fichier des antécédents judiciaires |url=https://www.lefigaro.fr/faits-divers/refus-d-obtemperer-conduite-sans-permis-stupefiants-l-adolescent-tue-a-nanterre-etait-connu-au-fichier-des-antecedents-judiciaires-20230629 |access-date=16 September 2023 |work=] |date=29 June 2023 |language=fr |quote=qu'il conduisait sans permis}}</ref> According to a paramedic who knew him, his father left his mother before he was born.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 June 2023 |title="C'était ma vie" : la mère de Nahel, tué par un policier, anéantie après la mort de son fils unique |trans-title="He was my life": The mother of Nahel devastated after the killing of her only son by police |url=https://www.lavoixdunord.fr/1345899/article/2023-06-28/adolescent-tue-par-un-policier-la-mere-de-nael-exprime-son-chagrin-apres-la-mort |access-date=30 June 2023 |website=] |language=fr |archive-date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628095230/https://www.lavoixdunord.fr/1345899/article/2023-06-28/adolescent-tue-par-un-policier-la-mere-de-nael-exprime-son-chagrin-apres-la-mort |url-status=live}}</ref>
According to his family's lawyers, Merzouk had no criminal record but the prosecutor confirmed he was "known to police",<ref name="riots-shake-france">{{cite news |first=Richard |last=Lough|title=Paris police shooting: why are there riots in France? |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/riots-shake-france-after-police-shoot-teenager-2023-06-29/ |access-date=25 July 2023 |work=] |date=29 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630024903/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/riots-shake-france-after-police-shoot-teenager-2023-06-29/ |archive-date=30 June 2023 |quote=He was known to police for previous incidents in which he failed to comply with traffic stops, the local prosecutor Pascal Prache said. }}</ref> particularly for resisting arrest, and had been charged with resisting arrest the previous weekend and five times since 2021.<ref>{{Cite news |date=30 June 2023 |title=France shooting: Who was Nahel M, shot by French police in Nanterre? |first=Paul |last=Kirby |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66052104 |access-date=30 June 2023 |work=] |language=en |archive-date=30 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630003658/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66052104 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=27 June 2023 |title=A Nanterre, un ado de 17 ans tué par la police lors d'un contrôle routier : ce que l'on sait des faits |trans-title=In Nanterre, a 17-year-old teenager killed by the police during a traffic check: what we know about the facts |language=fr |work=] |url=https://www.nouvelobs.com/faits-divers/20230627.OBS75039/ado-de-17-ans-tue-par-la-police-apres-un-controle-routier-ce-que-l-on-sait-des-faits.html |access-date=30 June 2023 |quote=il était « connu des services de la justice notamment pour refus d'obtempérer » avait été déféré au parquet de Nanterre le week-end dernier, pour refus d'obtempérer Il avait également été mis en cause pour un autres refus d'obtempérer en 2022 |trans-quote=he was "known to the justice services, in particular for refusing to comply" had been referred to the Nanterre prosecutor's office last weekend, for refusing to comply He had also been placed in cause for another refusal to comply in 2022 |archive-date=29 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629181837/https://www.nouvelobs.com/faits-divers/20230627.OBS75039/ado-de-17-ans-tue-par-la-police-apres-un-controle-routier-ce-que-l-on-sait-des-faits.html |url-status=live}}</ref> According to information leaked to '']'',<ref>{{Cite web |website=Mediapart |last1=Philippin |last2=Rouget |first1=Yann |first2=Antton |title=Un pilier d'Europe 1, ex de " Valeurs actuelles ", dans la main des barbouzes des Émirats |url=https://www.mediapart.fr/journal/france/100723/un-pilier-d-europe-1-ex-de-valeurs-actuelles-dans-la-main-des-barbouzes-des-emirats |date=10 July 2023 |language=fr |quote=À Europe 1, c’est lui qui a révélé le 28 juin dernier, « de sources policières », les antécédents mentionnés dans le fichier de la police au sujet de Nahel, l’adolescent tué par un policier à Nanterre – un classique visant à tenter de criminaliser la victime. |access-date=25 July 2023 |archive-date=11 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230711185243/https://www.mediapart.fr/journal/france/100723/un-pilier-d-europe-1-ex-de-valeurs-actuelles-dans-la-main-des-barbouzes-des-emirats |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |newspaper=Libération |language=fr |last=Pezet |first=Jacques |date=28 June 2023 |url=https://www.liberation.fr/checknews/mort-de-nahel-a-nanterre-polemique-autour-du-casier-judiciaire-de-ladolescent-tue-par-la-police-20230628_YB7EPVLKEBBA3E4I36LGWJYF6Y |title=Mort de Nahel à Nanterre : polémique autour du casier judiciaire de l'adolescent tué par la police |access-date=27 July 2023 |archive-date=11 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230711075858/https://www.liberation.fr/checknews/mort-de-nahel-a-nanterre-polemique-autour-du-casier-judiciaire-de-ladolescent-tue-par-la-police-20230628_YB7EPVLKEBBA3E4I36LGWJYF6Y/ |url-status=live }}</ref> his police file (]) included 15 recorded incidents, including the use of false license plates and driving without insurance.<ref>{{cite news |first=Louis de |last=Raguenel |date=29 June 2023 |title=Mort de Nahel : l'adolescent connu pour 15 mentions au fichier des antécédents judiciaires |trans-title=Death of Nahel: the teenager known for 15 mentions in the criminal history file |language=fr |work=] |url=https://www.europe1.fr/faits-divers/info-europe-1-mort-de-nahel-ladolescent-connu-pour-15-mentions-au-fichier-des-antecedents-judiciaires-4191433 |access-date=30 June 2023 |archive-date=29 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629235208/https://www.europe1.fr/faits-divers/info-europe-1-mort-de-nahel-ladolescent-connu-pour-15-mentions-au-fichier-des-antecedents-judiciaires-4191433 |url-status=live}}</ref>


== Shooting == == Shooting ==
], similar to the one driven by Merzouk]]
=== Prosecution version === === Prosecution version ===
], similar to the one driven by Merzouk]]
According to the public prosecutor of Nanterre, two ] motorcycle officers noticed a ] AMG with a Polish license plate driving at high speed in a bus lane, driven by a young-looking person at around 7:55{{nbsp}}am. The officers activated their warning signals (audible and visual) and indicated to the driver of the car, then stationary at a red traffic light, to stop. The vehicle started moving and ran the red light. The officers followed the car and alerted their superiors via radio. The car committed multiple traffic violations, endangering a pedestrian and a cyclist.
]
]According to the public prosecutor of Nanterre, two ] motorcycle officers noticed a ] AMG with a Polish license plate driving at high speed in a bus lane, driven by a young-looking person at around 7:55{{nbsp}}am. The officers activated their warning signals (audible and visual) and indicated to the driver of the car, then stationary at a red traffic light, to stop. The vehicle started moving and ran the red light. The officers followed the car and alerted their superiors via radio. The car committed multiple traffic violations, endangering a pedestrian and a cyclist.


Due to traffic congestion, the vehicle was eventually forced to stop. The police officers got off their motorcycles, pointed their guns at the driver, and ordered him to turn off the engine. Instead, the vehicle started to pull away, and one of the police officers, 38-year-old Florian M,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Allen |first=Peter |date=30 June 2023 |title=UK issues France travel warning as country is gripped by violence |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/france-violence-paris-trams-buses-nanterre-banlieue-nahel-macron-b1091387.html |access-date=7 July 2023 |work=] |language=en |archive-date=30 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630202950/https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/france-violence-paris-trams-buses-nanterre-banlieue-nahel-macron-b1091387.html |url-status=live}}</ref> fired a shot at the driver. The vehicle continued its route before crashing into street furniture at 8:19{{nbsp}}am. The rear passenger was arrested when he exited the vehicle. The front right passenger fled. The police officer who fired the shot provided first aid to the driver. The driver was pronounced dead at 9:15{{nbsp}}am.<ref>{{cite news |access-date=29 June 2023 |date=29 June 2023 |language=fr |title=En direct : une information judiciaire pour homicide volontaire ouverte après la mort de Nahel |trans-title=Live: a judicial investigation for voluntary homicide opened after the death of Nahel |url=https://www.france24.com/fr/france/20230629-%F0%9F%94%B4-en-direct-la-conf%C3%A9rence-de-presse-du-procureur-de-nanterre-sur-la-mort-de-nahel |work=] |archive-date=29 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629090936/https://www.france24.com/fr/france/20230629-%F0%9F%94%B4-en-direct-la-conf%C3%A9rence-de-presse-du-procureur-de-nanterre-sur-la-mort-de-nahel |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |access-date=29 June 2023 |date=29 June 2023 |language=fr |title=Mort de Nahel : le récit de la course-poursuite, minute par minute |trans-title=Death of Nahel: the story of the chase, minute by minute |url=https://www.lefigaro.fr/faits-divers/mort-de-nahel-le-recit-de-la-course-poursuite-minute-par-minute-20230629 |website=] |archive-date=29 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629115630/https://www.lefigaro.fr/faits-divers/mort-de-nahel-le-recit-de-la-course-poursuite-minute-par-minute-20230629 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |access-date=30 June 2023 |date=29 June 2023 |publisher=] |title=Mort de Nahel: le procureur de Nanterre détaille le déroulé des faits |trans-title=Death of Nahel: the Nanterre prosecutor details the course of events |language=fr |url=https://www.bfmtv.com/police-justice/mort-de-nahel-le-procureur-de-nanterre-detaille-le-deroule-des-faits_VN-202306290383.html |archive-date=30 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630020443/https://www.bfmtv.com/police-justice/mort-de-nahel-le-procureur-de-nanterre-detaille-le-deroule-des-faits_VN-202306290383.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Due to traffic congestion, the vehicle was eventually forced to stop. The police officers got off their motorcycles, pointed their guns at the driver, and ordered him to turn off the engine. Instead, the vehicle started to pull away, and one of the police officers, 38-year-old Florian M., working his ninth consecutive day without a day off, fired a shot at the driver at point-blank range. The vehicle continued forward before crashing into the street sign marking the Nelson Mandela Square<ref>{{Cite web |last=Machecourt |first=Clément |date=28 June 2023 |title=Mort de Nahel : Malgré les appels au calme, Nanterre craint une nouvelle nuit de violences |url=https://actu.fr/ile-de-france/nanterre_92050/mort-de-nahel-malgre-les-appels-au-calme-nanterre-craint-une-nouvelle-nuit-de-violences_59789630.html |language=fr |website=actu.fr |quote=Le panneau « Place Nelson-Mandela » penché témoigne du choc de la voiture qui y a terminé sa course. |access-date=24 July 2023 |archive-date=24 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724015820/https://actu.fr/ile-de-france/nanterre_92050/mort-de-nahel-malgre-les-appels-au-calme-nanterre-craint-une-nouvelle-nuit-de-violences_59789630.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Mort de Nahel M. : les premières constatations de l'enquête |trans-title=Death of Nahel M.: the first findings of the investigation |newspaper=] |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2023/07/05/mort-de-nahel-m-les-premieres-constatations-de-l-enquete_6180715_3224.html |last1=Albertini |last2=Bronner |first1=Antoine |first2=Luc |date=5 July 2023 |language=fr |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230720004025/https://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2023/07/05/mort-de-nahel-m-les-premieres-constatations-de-l-enquete_6180715_3224.html |archive-date=20 July 2023 |access-date=19 July 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref> at 8:19{{nbsp}}am. The rear passenger was arrested when he exited the vehicle. The front right passenger fled. Florian M. provided first aid to the driver, who was pronounced dead at 9:15{{nbsp}}am.<ref>{{cite news |access-date=29 June 2023 |date=29 June 2023 |language=fr |title=En direct : une information judiciaire pour homicide volontaire ouverte après la mort de Nahel |trans-title=Live: a judicial investigation for voluntary homicide opened after the death of Nahel |url=https://www.france24.com/fr/france/20230629-%F0%9F%94%B4-en-direct-la-conf%C3%A9rence-de-presse-du-procureur-de-nanterre-sur-la-mort-de-nahel |work=] |archive-date=29 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629090936/https://www.france24.com/fr/france/20230629-%F0%9F%94%B4-en-direct-la-conf%C3%A9rence-de-presse-du-procureur-de-nanterre-sur-la-mort-de-nahel |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Esther |last=Paolini |access-date=29 June 2023 |date=29 June 2023 |language=fr |title=Mort de Nahel : le récit de la course-poursuite, minute par minute |trans-title=Death of Nahel: the story of the chase, minute by minute |url=https://www.lefigaro.fr/faits-divers/mort-de-nahel-le-recit-de-la-course-poursuite-minute-par-minute-20230629 |website=] |archive-date=29 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629115630/https://www.lefigaro.fr/faits-divers/mort-de-nahel-le-recit-de-la-course-poursuite-minute-par-minute-20230629 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |access-date=30 June 2023 |date=29 June 2023 |work=] |title=Mort de Nahel: le procureur de Nanterre détaille le déroulé des faits |trans-title=Death of Nahel: the Nanterre prosecutor details the course of events |language=fr |url=https://www.bfmtv.com/police-justice/mort-de-nahel-le-procureur-de-nanterre-detaille-le-deroule-des-faits_VN-202306290383.html |archive-date=30 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630020443/https://www.bfmtv.com/police-justice/mort-de-nahel-le-procureur-de-nanterre-detaille-le-deroule-des-faits_VN-202306290383.html |url-status=live}}</ref>


The deceased was a person known to the police for previous incidents in which he failed to comply with ]s.<ref name=riots-shake-france>{{Cite news |title=Why are there riots in France and where are they happening? |work=] |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/riots-shake-france-after-police-shoot-teenager-2023-06-29 |date=29 June 2023 |language=en |access-date=4 July 2023 |archive-date=1 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701060051/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/riots-shake-france-after-police-shoot-teenager-2023-06-29/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Nahel is alleged to have "disobeyed and committed several traffic offences, endangering the lives of a pedestrian and a cyclist", and also refused to turn off the ignition, upon which one of the officers shot him as he was attempting to speed away with his car making contact with the police officer.<ref name="riots-shake-france2">{{Cite news |date=29 June 2023 |title=Why are there riots in France and where are they happening? |work=] |language=en |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/riots-shake-france-after-police-shoot-teenager-2023-06-29/ |access-date=8 July 2023 |archive-date=1 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701060051/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/riots-shake-france-after-police-shoot-teenager-2023-06-29/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=French police accused of killing boy: What do we know about the case? |url=https://www.connexionfrance.com/article/French-news/French-police-accused-of-killing-boy-What-do-we-know-about-the-case |access-date=5 July 2023 |newspaper=The Connexion |archive-date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628203324/http://www.connexionfrance.com/article/French-news/French-police-accused-of-killing-boy-What-do-we-know-about-the-case |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=France to deploy 40,000 officers amid protests after fatal police shooting of teen driver |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2023/06/29/protests-continue-france-police-shooting-officers-deployed/70368157007/ |access-date=5 July 2023 |website=] |language=en-US |archive-date=30 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630102624/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2023/06/29/protests-continue-france-police-shooting-officers-deployed/70368157007/ |url-status=live}}</ref> In France, there is legal basis for the police to use firearms during traffic stops under failure to comply.<ref>{{cite news |title=France riots: Why are police using guns during traffic stops? |work=] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66066438 |access-date=4 July 2023 |archive-date=30 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630223232/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66066438 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Did a law to fight terrorism give French police too much licence to shoot? |date=30 June 2023 |url=https://www.rfi.fr/en/france/20230630-security-law-to-fight-terrorism-french-police-too-much-licence-to-shoot |access-date=4 July 2023 |archive-date=1 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701193143/https://www.rfi.fr/en/france/20230630-security-law-to-fight-terrorism-french-police-too-much-licence-to-shoot |url-status=live}}</ref> Authorities arrested the police officer who shot Merzouk, on suspicion of "voluntary homicide by a person in authority".<ref name="riots-shake-france2" /> Police records indicate that Merzouk was known for previous incidents in which he failed to comply with ]s.<ref name="riots-shake-france"/> On the day of his death, it is alleged that he "disobeyed and committed several traffic offences, endangering the lives of a pedestrian and a cyclist", and refused to turn off the ignition. Police shot Merzouk when the Mercedes began moving forward after it had been stopped.<ref name="riots-shake-france" /><ref>{{Cite news |title=French police accused of killing boy: What do we know about the case? |first=Hannah |last=Thompson |url=https://www.connexionfrance.com/article/French-news/French-police-accused-of-killing-boy-What-do-we-know-about-the-case |access-date=5 July 2023 |date=28 June 2023 |newspaper=The Connexion |archive-date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628203324/http://www.connexionfrance.com/article/French-news/French-police-accused-of-killing-boy-What-do-we-know-about-the-case |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=France to deploy 40,000 officers amid protests after fatal police shooting of teen driver |first=N'dea |last=Yancey-Bragg |date=29 June 2023 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2023/06/29/protests-continue-france-police-shooting-officers-deployed/70368157007/ |access-date=5 July 2023 |website=] |language=en-US |archive-date=30 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630102624/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2023/06/29/protests-continue-france-police-shooting-officers-deployed/70368157007/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

The use of firearms by the police, during traffic controls in the event of failure to comply, is currently regulated by a law adopted in 2017.<ref>{{cite news |title=France riots: Why are police using guns during traffic stops? |work=] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66066438 |access-date=4 July 2023 |archive-date=30 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630223232/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66066438 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Did a law to fight terrorism give French police too much licence to shoot? |date=30 June 2023 |url=https://www.rfi.fr/en/france/20230630-security-law-to-fight-terrorism-french-police-too-much-licence-to-shoot |access-date=4 July 2023 |archive-date=1 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701193143/https://www.rfi.fr/en/france/20230630-security-law-to-fight-terrorism-french-police-too-much-licence-to-shoot |url-status=live}}</ref>

Authorities arrested Florian M. on suspicion of "voluntary homicide by a person in authority".<ref name="riots-shake-france" /> Police unions complained against the arrest. ] ] said he would seek the dissolution of a small far-right union, Syndicat France Police, which welcomed the shooting of Merzouk.<ref>{{cite news |author=AFP |title=French Police Union Calls Rioters 'Vermin' |date=30 June 2023 |url=https://www.barrons.com/news/french-police-union-calls-rioters-vermin-f10740ea |access-date=28 July 2023 |work=www.barrons.com |archive-date=30 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630155601/https://www.barrons.com/news/french-police-union-calls-rioters-vermin-f10740ea |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nicematin.com/faits-de-societe/compte-twitter-suspendu-plaintes-deposees-on-vous-explique-la-polemique-autour-du-syndicat-france-police-apres-la-mort-de-nahel-857990|title=Compte Twitter suspendu, plaintes déposées: on vous explique la polémique autour du "Syndicat France Police" après la mort de Nahel|date=30 June 2023|website=Nice-Matin|access-date=28 July 2023|archive-date=19 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230719114234/https://www.nicematin.com/faits-de-societe/compte-twitter-suspendu-plaintes-deposees-on-vous-explique-la-polemique-autour-du-syndicat-france-police-apres-la-mort-de-nahel-857990|url-status=live}}</ref>


=== Police version challenged by a video === === Police version challenged by a video ===
According to the police, an officer fired his weapon as the young driver was about to run him over.<ref>{{cite web |access-date=28 June 2023 |date=27 June 2023 |first1=Caroline |first2=Julien |language=fr-FR |last1=Piquet |last2=Constant |title=Adolescent tué à Nanterre par un tir policier : « On veut la vérité et on la veut vite », réagit le maire |trans-title=Teenager killed in Nanterre by police shooting: "We want the truth and we want it quickly", reacts the mayor |url=https://www.leparisien.fr/faits-divers/nanterre-un-homme-tue-par-un-tir-de-la-police-apres-un-refus-dobtemperer-27-06-2023-NUHSC3W3X5GYDGWDXCA36APNUU.php |website=] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627223434/https://www.leparisien.fr/faits-divers/nanterre-un-homme-tue-par-un-tir-de-la-police-apres-un-refus-dobtemperer-27-06-2023-NUHSC3W3X5GYDGWDXCA36APNUU.php |archive-date=27 June 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> This version, citing self-defense, was challenged after the publication of a video showing that the car was not in a position to harm the police officers and was not heading towards them.<ref name=":022">{{cite web |access-date=28 June 2023 |language=fr |title=Mort de Naël : une vidéo qui change tout et un cocktail explosif |trans-title=Death of Naël: a video that changes everything and an explosive cocktail |url=https://www.liberation.fr/politique/mort-de-nael-une-video-qui-change-tout-et-un-cocktail-explosif-20230628_Q3YIJEFEHVEYBODLHJO3MKZIQY/ |website=] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629191355/https://www.liberation.fr/politique/mort-de-nael-une-video-qui-change-tout-et-un-cocktail-explosif-20230628_Q3YIJEFEHVEYBODLHJO3MKZIQY/ |archive-date=29 June 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |access-date=29 June 2023 |date=28 June 2023 |first=Noémie |language=fr |last=Lair |title=Adolescent tué à Nanterre : ce que l'on sait de la vidéo qui met à mal la version des policiers |trans-title=Teenager killed in Nanterre: what we know about the video that undermines the version of the police |url=https://www.radiofrance.fr/franceinter/adolescent-tue-a-nanterre-ce-que-l-on-sait-de-la-video-qui-met-a-mal-la-version-des-policiers-1888941 |website=] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628195002/https://www.radiofrance.fr/franceinter/adolescent-tue-a-nanterre-ce-que-l-on-sait-de-la-video-qui-met-a-mal-la-version-des-policiers-1888941 |archive-date=28 June 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |access-date=28 June 2023 |date=8 September 2022 |language=fr |title=Mort après un refus d'obtempérer à Nice : une vidéo fragilise la version d'un syndicat de police |trans-title=Death after a refusal to comply in Nice: a video weakens the version of a police union |url=https://www.francelive.fr/article/france-live/mort-apres-un-refus-d-obtemperer-a-nice-une-video-fragilise-la-version-d-un-syndicat-de-police-7598612/ |website=] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628090459/https://www.francelive.fr/article/france-live/mort-apres-un-refus-d-obtemperer-a-nice-une-video-fragilise-la-version-d-un-syndicat-de-police-7598612/ |archive-date=28 June 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> According to '']'', "the 50-second sequence, which has gone viral on social media, has literally swept away the language elements initially disseminated by police sources and repeated by some media." The video shows that the two police officers were on the driver's side of the Mercedes. The car was moving off when the police officer fired the shot,<ref name="mondevideo">{{cite news |language=fr |title=Adolescent tué par un policier à Nanterre : l'agent en garde à vue, nuit de colère et de tension dans les Hauts-de-Seine |trans-title=Teenager killed by a policeman in Nanterre: the agent in police custody, night of anger and tension in the Hauts-de-Seine |work=] |date=28 June 2023 |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2023/06/28/nanterre-un-policier-en-garde-a-vue-apres-la-mort-d-un-mineur-de-17-ans-incidents-entre-habitants-et-forces-de-l-ordre_6179501_3224.html |access-date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630012150/https://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2023/06/28/nanterre-un-policier-en-garde-a-vue-apres-la-mort-d-un-mineur-de-17-ans-incidents-entre-habitants-et-forces-de-l-ordre_6179501_3224.html |archive-date=30 June 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> still at close range.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.rtl.fr/actu/justice-faits-divers/jeune-tue-a-nanterre-ce-qu-a-dit-le-policier-lors-de-sa-garde-a-vue-7900279062 |title=Jeune tué à Nanterre : ce qu'a dit le policier lors de sa garde à vue |trans-title=Young man killed in Nanterre: what the policeman said while in police custody |language=fr |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630105033/https://www.rtl.fr/actu/justice-faits-divers/jeune-tue-a-nanterre-ce-qu-a-dit-le-policier-lors-de-sa-garde-a-vue-7900279062 |archive-date=30 June 2023 |work=] |date=28 June 2023}}</ref> According to the police, Florian M. fired his weapon as the young driver was about to run him over.<ref>{{cite web |access-date=28 June 2023 |date=27 June 2023 |first1=Caroline |first2=Julien |language=fr-FR |last1=Piquet |last2=Constant |title=Adolescent tué à Nanterre par un tir policier : " On veut la vérité et on la veut vite ", réagit le maire |trans-title=Teenager killed in Nanterre by police shooting: "We want the truth and we want it quickly", reacts the mayor |url=https://www.leparisien.fr/faits-divers/nanterre-un-homme-tue-par-un-tir-de-la-police-apres-un-refus-dobtemperer-27-06-2023-NUHSC3W3X5GYDGWDXCA36APNUU.php |website=] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627223434/https://www.leparisien.fr/faits-divers/nanterre-un-homme-tue-par-un-tir-de-la-police-apres-un-refus-dobtemperer-27-06-2023-NUHSC3W3X5GYDGWDXCA36APNUU.php |archive-date=27 June 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> This version, citing self-defense, was challenged after the publication of a video showing that the car was not in a position to harm the police officers and was not heading towards them.<ref name=":02"/><ref>{{cite web |access-date=29 June 2023 |date=28 June 2023 |first=Noémie |language=fr |last=Lair |title=Adolescent tué à Nanterre : ce que l'on sait de la vidéo qui met à mal la version des policiers |trans-title=Teenager killed in Nanterre: what we know about the video that undermines the version of the police |url=https://www.radiofrance.fr/franceinter/adolescent-tue-a-nanterre-ce-que-l-on-sait-de-la-video-qui-met-a-mal-la-version-des-policiers-1888941 |website=] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628195002/https://www.radiofrance.fr/franceinter/adolescent-tue-a-nanterre-ce-que-l-on-sait-de-la-video-qui-met-a-mal-la-version-des-policiers-1888941 |archive-date=28 June 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |access-date=28 June 2023 |date=8 September 2022 |language=fr |title=Mort après un refus d'obtempérer à Nice : une vidéo fragilise la version d'un syndicat de police |trans-title=Death after a refusal to comply in Nice: a video weakens the version of a police union |url=https://www.francelive.fr/article/france-live/mort-apres-un-refus-d-obtemperer-a-nice-une-video-fragilise-la-version-d-un-syndicat-de-police-7598612/ |first=Samuel |last=Grée |website=] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628090459/https://www.francelive.fr/article/france-live/mort-apres-un-refus-d-obtemperer-a-nice-une-video-fragilise-la-version-d-un-syndicat-de-police-7598612/ |archive-date=28 June 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> According to '']'', "the 50-second sequence, which has gone viral on social media, has literally swept away the language elements initially disseminated by police sources and repeated by some media." The video shows that the two police officers were on the driver's side of the Mercedes. The car was moving off when the officer fired the shot at point-blank range.<ref name="auto"/>


=== Version from the third passenger === === Version from the third passenger ===
On 30 June 2023, a third passenger aboard the Mercedes testified that Merzouk received several ]s. According to them, the third buttstroke made Merzouk release the brake pedal, causing the car to move forward, given that the gearbox was automatic. According to ], this version differs from that put forward by the police, as according to ]: "the driver had first turned off the engine, restarted the vehicle, then left. It was in this context that the police officer used his firearm."<ref>{{cite web |access-date=1 July 2023 |language=fr |title=Mort de Nahel: le troisième passager de la voiture donne sa version des faits pour "rétablir la vérité" |trans-title=Death of Nahel: the third passenger in the car gives his version of the facts to "restore the truth" |url=https://www.bfmtv.com/police-justice/mort-de-nahel-le-troisieme-passager-de-la-voiture-donne-sa-version-des-faits-pour-retablir-la-verite_AV-202306300837.html |website=] |archive-date=30 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630204302/https://www.bfmtv.com/police-justice/mort-de-nahel-le-troisieme-passager-de-la-voiture-donne-sa-version-des-faits-pour-retablir-la-verite_AV-202306300837.html |url-status=live}}<!-- auto-translated by Module:CS1 translator --></ref> On 30 June 2023, a third passenger aboard the Mercedes testified that Merzouk received several ]s. According to them, the third buttstroke made Merzouk release the brake pedal, causing the car to move forward, given that the gearbox was automatic. According to ], this version differs from that put forward by the police, as according to the ] ]: "the driver had first turned off the engine, restarted the vehicle, then left. It was in this context that the police officer used his firearm."<ref>{{cite web |first=Théo |last=Putavy |access-date=1 July 2023 |language=fr |title=Mort de Nahel: le troisième passager de la voiture donne sa version des faits pour 'rétablir la vérité' |trans-title=Death of Nahel: the third passenger in the car gives his version of the facts to 'restore the truth' |date=30 June 2023 |url=https://www.bfmtv.com/police-justice/mort-de-nahel-le-troisieme-passager-de-la-voiture-donne-sa-version-des-faits-pour-retablir-la-verite_AV-202306300837.html |website=] |archive-date=30 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630204302/https://www.bfmtv.com/police-justice/mort-de-nahel-le-troisieme-passager-de-la-voiture-donne-sa-version-des-faits-pour-retablir-la-verite_AV-202306300837.html |url-status=live}}</ref>


== Investigation == == Investigation ==
The officer is currently under investigation for ] and has been placed in custody for the charge of "voluntary homicide by a person in authority".<ref name=":6" /><ref name="auto">{{Cite news |date=28 June 2023 |title=Adolescent tué par un policier à Nanterre : l'agent en garde à vue, nuit de colère et de tension dans les Hauts-de-Seine |trans-title=Teenager killed by a policeman in Nanterre: the agent in police custody, night of anger and tension in the Hauts-de-Seine |language=fr |work=] |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2023/06/28/nanterre-un-policier-en-garde-a-vue-apres-la-mort-d-un-mineur-de-17-ans-incidents-entre-habitants-et-forces-de-l-ordre_6179501_3224.html |access-date=28 June 2023 |archive-date=30 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630012150/https://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2023/06/28/nanterre-un-policier-en-garde-a-vue-apres-la-mort-d-un-mineur-de-17-ans-incidents-entre-habitants-et-forces-de-l-ordre_6179501_3224.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The police have maintained that the shooting was an act of self-defense, as they argue that Merzouk was driving towards the officer.<ref name="auto" /> However, since the video was released, this claim has faced significant criticism.<ref name=":9" /> Yassine Bouzrou, a lawyer representing Merzouk, has stated that the video completely disproves this assertion and alleges that the brigadier{{efn|In contrast to the anglophone military usage, brigadier is a ] equivalent to ].}} had an "intention to kill".<ref name=":9" /> Other lawyers representing Merzouk have made similar remarks.<ref name=":10">{{Cite news |title=Paris: Unrest suburb after police kill a 17-year-old DW – 06/28/2023 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/paris-unrest-suburb-after-police-kill-a-17-year-old/a-66050863 |access-date=28 June 2023 |work=] |language=en |archive-date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628223204/https://www.dw.com/en/paris-unrest-suburb-after-police-kill-a-17-year-old/a-66050863 |url-status=live}}</ref> Florian M. is under investigation for ] and was placed in custody for the charge of "voluntary homicide by a person in authority".<ref name=":6" /><ref name="auto">{{Cite news |first=Antoine |last=Albertini |date=28 June 2023 |title=Adolescent tué par un policier à Nanterre : l'agent en garde à vue, nuit de colère et de tension dans les Hauts-de-Seine |trans-title=Teenager killed by a policeman in Nanterre: the agent in police custody, night of anger and tension in the Hauts-de-Seine |language=fr |work=] |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2023/06/28/nanterre-un-policier-en-garde-a-vue-apres-la-mort-d-un-mineur-de-17-ans-incidents-entre-habitants-et-forces-de-l-ordre_6179501_3224.html |access-date=28 June 2023 |archive-date=30 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630012150/https://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2023/06/28/nanterre-un-policier-en-garde-a-vue-apres-la-mort-d-un-mineur-de-17-ans-incidents-entre-habitants-et-forces-de-l-ordre_6179501_3224.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The police have maintained that the shooting was an act of self-defense, as they argue that Merzouk was driving towards the officer.<ref name="auto" /> However, since the video was released, this claim has faced significant criticism.<ref name=":9" /> Yassine Bouzrou, a lawyer representing Merzouk, has stated that the video completely disproves this assertion and alleges that the brigadier{{efn|Brigadier is a ] equivalent to ].}} had an "intention to kill".<ref name=":9" /> Other lawyers representing Merzouk have made similar remarks.<ref name=":10">{{Cite news |title=Paris: Unrest suburb after police kill a 17-year-old |date=28 June 2023 |agency=dpa, AP, AFP |url=https://www.dw.com/en/paris-unrest-in-suburb-after-police-kill-a-17-year-old/a-66050863 |access-date=28 June 2023 |work=] |language=en |archive-date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628223204/https://www.dw.com/en/paris-unrest-suburb-after-police-kill-a-17-year-old/a-66050863 |url-status=live}}</ref>


Two investigations have been initiated: the first for "refusal to comply" and "attempted voluntary homicide against a person in authority", and the second for "voluntary homicide by a person in authority". The latter investigation has been assigned to the General Inspectorate of the National Police (]).<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 June 2023 |title=Jeune homme tué à Nanterre après un refus d'obtempérer : après le drame, deux enquêtes ouvertes |trans-title=Young man killed in Nanterre after refusing to comply: after the tragedy, two investigations opened |url=https://www.europe1.fr/societe/jeune-homme-tue-a-nanterre-apres-un-refus-dobtemperer-apres-le-drame-deux-enquetes-ouvertes-4191285 |access-date=28 June 2023 |website=] |language=fr |archive-date=29 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629133927/https://www.europe1.fr/societe/jeune-homme-tue-a-nanterre-apres-un-refus-dobtemperer-apres-le-drame-deux-enquetes-ouvertes-4191285 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Mort de Naël: deux plaintes vont être déposées contre les policiers, annoncent les avocats de la famille de la victime |trans-title=Death of Naël: two complaints will be filed against the police, announce the lawyers for the victim's family |url=https://www.bfmtv.com/police-justice/mort-de-nael-deux-plaintes-vont-etre-deposees-contre-les-policiers-annoncent-les-avocats-de-la-famille-de-la-victime_VN-202306280333.html |access-date=28 June 2023 |language=fr |archive-date=29 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629193843/https://www.bfmtv.com/police-justice/mort-de-nael-deux-plaintes-vont-etre-deposees-contre-les-policiers-annoncent-les-avocats-de-la-famille-de-la-victime_VN-202306280333.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Two investigations have been initiated: "refusal to comply" against Merzouk, and "voluntary homicide by a person in authority" against Florian M. The latter investigation has been assigned to the General Inspectorate of the National Police (]).<ref>{{Cite web |first=David |last=Montagné |agency=AFP |date=28 June 2023 |title=Jeune homme tué à Nanterre après un refus d'obtempérer : après le drame, deux enquêtes ouvertes |trans-title=Young man killed in Nanterre after refusing to comply: after the tragedy, two investigations opened |url=https://www.europe1.fr/societe/jeune-homme-tue-a-nanterre-apres-un-refus-dobtemperer-apres-le-drame-deux-enquetes-ouvertes-4191285 |access-date=28 June 2023 |website=] |language=fr |archive-date=29 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629133927/https://www.europe1.fr/societe/jeune-homme-tue-a-nanterre-apres-un-refus-dobtemperer-apres-le-drame-deux-enquetes-ouvertes-4191285 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |work=] |title=Mort de Naël: deux plaintes vont être déposées contre les policiers, annoncent les avocats de la famille de la victime |trans-title=Death of Naël: two complaints will be filed against the police, announce the lawyers for the victim's family |url=https://www.bfmtv.com/police-justice/mort-de-nael-deux-plaintes-vont-etre-deposees-contre-les-policiers-annoncent-les-avocats-de-la-famille-de-la-victime_VN-202306280333.html |access-date=28 June 2023 |language=fr |archive-date=29 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629193843/https://www.bfmtv.com/police-justice/mort-de-nael-deux-plaintes-vont-etre-deposees-contre-les-policiers-annoncent-les-avocats-de-la-famille-de-la-victime_VN-202306280333.html |url-status=live}}</ref>


== Initial reactions == == Initial reactions ==
French President Emmanuel Macron declared the incident "inexcusable and unforgivable", adding that it "moved the entire nation". Macron's statements were a rare critique of French law enforcement from government officials.<ref name=":15">{{Cite news |date=28 June 2023 |title='Unexplainable and inexcusable': Macron lays into police after teen shot dead and Paris riots |language=en-AU |work=] News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-06-28/clashes-with-police-on-the-streets-of-paris/102536888 |url-status=live |access-date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630000538/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-06-28/clashes-with-police-on-the-streets-of-paris/102536888 |archive-date=30 June 2023}}</ref><ref name=":6" /> The ]'s ] attributed this to the effects of social media, allowing for the dissemination of such videos with ease, as well as fear stemming from the ensuing riots. ], the largest French police union, criticized Macron for "condemn our colleagues before justice has had the chance to speak".<ref name=":16">{{Cite news |date=28 June 2023 |title=Paris shooting: Why French government backed family so fast |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66045686 |url-status=live |access-date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629215135/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66045686 |archive-date=29 June 2023}}</ref><ref name="police nationale">{{Cite news |date=28 June 2023 |title=Nanterre. Mort de Nahel à Nanterre : quel est ce syndicat France Police menacé de dissolution ? |language=fr |work=] |url=https://www.leprogres.fr/faits-divers-justice/2023/06/28/mort-de-nahel-a-nanterre-quel-est-ce-syndicat-france-police-menace-de-dissolution |url-status=live |access-date=29 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629024137/https://www.leprogres.fr/faits-divers-justice/2023/06/28/mort-de-nahel-a-nanterre-quel-est-ce-syndicat-france-police-menace-de-dissolution |archive-date=29 June 2023}}</ref> Far-right politician ], leader of the ] party, dubbed Macron's statements as "excessive" and "irresponsible", adding that "the president is prepared to ignore constitutional principles in a bid to put out a potential fire."<ref name=":14">{{Cite web |last=Brudeau |first=Cain |title=Riots, racial tensions erupt in France after fatal police shooting |url=https://www.courthousenews.com/riots-racial-tensions-erupt-in-france-after-fatal-police-shooting/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629201708/https://www.courthousenews.com/riots-racial-tensions-erupt-in-france-after-fatal-police-shooting/ |archive-date=29 June 2023 |access-date=29 June 2023 |website=]}}</ref> French President Emmanuel Macron declared the incident "inexcusable and unforgivable", adding that it "moved the entire nation". Macron's statements were a rare critique of French law enforcement from government officials.<ref name=":15">{{Cite news |date=28 June 2023 |title='Unexplainable and inexcusable': Macron lays into police after teen shot dead and Paris riots |language=en-AU |work=] News |agency=] |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-06-28/clashes-with-police-on-the-streets-of-paris/102536888 |url-status=live |access-date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630000538/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-06-28/clashes-with-police-on-the-streets-of-paris/102536888 |archive-date=30 June 2023}}</ref><ref name=":6" /> The ]'s ] attributed this to the effects of social media, allowing for the dissemination of such videos with ease, as well as fear stemming from the ensuing riots. ], the largest French police union, criticized Macron for "condemn our colleagues before justice has had the chance to speak".<ref name=":16">{{Cite news |first=Hugh |last=Schofield |date=28 June 2023 |title=Paris shooting: Why French government backed family so fast |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66045686 |url-status=live |access-date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629215135/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66045686 |archive-date=29 June 2023}}</ref><ref name="police nationale">{{Cite news |first=Boris |last=Ivanoff |date=28 June 2023 |title=Nanterre. Mort de Nahel à Nanterre : quel est ce syndicat France Police menacé de dissolution ? |language=fr |work=] |url=https://www.leprogres.fr/faits-divers-justice/2023/06/28/mort-de-nahel-a-nanterre-quel-est-ce-syndicat-france-police-menace-de-dissolution |url-status=live |access-date=29 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629024137/https://www.leprogres.fr/faits-divers-justice/2023/06/28/mort-de-nahel-a-nanterre-quel-est-ce-syndicat-france-police-menace-de-dissolution |archive-date=29 June 2023}}</ref> Far-right politician ], leader of the ] party, dubbed Macron's statements as "excessive" and "irresponsible", adding that "the president is prepared to ignore constitutional principles in a bid to put out a potential fire."<ref name=":14">{{Cite web |last=Brudeau |first=Cain |title=Riots, racial tensions erupt in France after fatal police shooting |url=https://www.courthousenews.com/riots-racial-tensions-erupt-in-france-after-fatal-police-shooting/ |date=28 June 2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629201708/https://www.courthousenews.com/riots-racial-tensions-erupt-in-france-after-fatal-police-shooting/ |archive-date=29 June 2023 |access-date=29 June 2023 |website=]}}</ref> Left-wing politician and former ] party leader ] called for police reform. ], party leader of the conservative party ], expressed his support for the police, dubbing them defenders of collective security and denouncing the ensuing unrest as unjustified.<ref name=":10" />


French football player ] took to ] to denounce the incident as "unacceptable" and sent condolences to Merzouk<nowiki>'</nowiki>s family.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title='I hurt for my France': Mbappe, Macron shocked by police killing |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/6/28/french-president-says-teenagers-killing |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629182202/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/6/28/french-president-says-teenagers-killing |archive-date=29 June 2023 |access-date=28 June 2023 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref> French actor and comedian ] sent condolences to the family.<ref name=":8">{{Cite news |date=27 June 2023 |title=Anger in Paris after police kill teen in traffic stop |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66038227 |url-status=live |access-date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629225242/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66038227 |archive-date=29 June 2023}}</ref> French football player ] took to ] to denounce the incident as "unacceptable" and sent condolences to Merzouk's family.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title='I hurt for my France': Mbappe, Macron shocked by police killing |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/6/28/french-president-says-teenagers-killing |url-status=live |date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629182202/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/6/28/french-president-says-teenagers-killing |archive-date=29 June 2023 |access-date=28 June 2023 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref> ], a footballer for ], stated on Twitter that "It's always for the same people that being in the wrong leads to death."<ref name=":0" />
] footballer ] criticized the coverage of the incident, stating that news media were capitalizing on it to "distort the truth" and find excuses to criminalize Merzouk. French actor and comedian ] sent condolences to the family.<ref name=":8">{{Cite news |first=Antoinette |last=Radford |date=27 June 2023 |title=Anger in Paris after police kill teen in traffic stop |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66038227 |url-status=live |access-date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629225242/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66038227 |archive-date=29 June 2023}}</ref>


Merzouk's mother called for a "a revolt for my son" on ].<ref name=":9" /><ref name=":6" /> Merzouk's grandmother stated that she lacked forgiveness for the police and government, stating "They killed my grandson, now I don't care about anyone, they took my grandson from me, I will never forgive them in my life, never, never, never."<ref name=":11">{{Cite web |last=Allen |first=Peter |date=28 June 2023 |title=First picture of teenager whose killing by police triggered night of riots in Paris |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/paris-riots-france-police-teenager-shooting-b1090659.html |access-date=28 June 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=29 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629204653/https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/paris-riots-france-police-teenager-shooting-b1090659.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Merzouk's mother called for a "a revolt for my son" on ].<ref name=":9" /><ref name=":6" /> Merzouk's grandmother stated that she lacked forgiveness for the police and government, stating "They killed my grandson, now I don't care about anyone, they took my grandson from me, I will never forgive them in my life, never, never, never."<ref name=":11">{{Cite web |last=Allen |first=Peter |date=28 June 2023 |title=First picture of teenager whose killing by police triggered night of riots in Paris |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/paris-riots-france-police-teenager-shooting-b1090659.html |access-date=28 June 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=29 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629204653/https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/paris-riots-france-police-teenager-shooting-b1090659.html |url-status=live}}</ref>


] and ] have been criticized for relaying the police's account without any caution in the early hours of the event, before changing their narrative in response to the video evidence and pressure from other media outlets.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |first=Jonathan |last=Bouchet-Petersen |title=Mort de Nahel : une vidéo qui change tout et un cocktail explosif |trans-title=Death of Nahel: a video that changes everything and an explosive cocktail |date=28 June 2023 |url=https://www.liberation.fr/politique/mort-de-nael-une-video-qui-change-tout-et-un-cocktail-explosif-20230628_Q3YIJEFEHVEYBODLHJO3MKZIQY/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629191355/https://www.liberation.fr/politique/mort-de-nael-une-video-qui-change-tout-et-un-cocktail-explosif-20230628_Q3YIJEFEHVEYBODLHJO3MKZIQY/ |archive-date=29 June 2023 |access-date=28 June 2023 |website=] |language=fr}}</ref>
] footballer ] criticized the coverage of the incident, stating that news media were capitalizing on it to "distort the truth" and find excuses to criminalize Merzouk. Left-wing politician and former ] party leader ] called for police reform. ], a footballer for ] stated on Twitter that "It's always for the same people that being in the wrong leads to death."<ref name=":0" />


The ] expressed its "shock and consternation the brutal and tragic disappearance of the young Nahel", adding that it trusted the ] to assume its duty of protection and security for Algerian nationals on French territory. The Moroccan press was critical of what it called Algerian interference in internal French domestic affairs and use of the crisis to political advantage.<ref>{{Cite news |title=" La France continue à marginaliser des générations d'immigrés " : au Maghreb, les émeutes en France font réagir |trans-title="France continues to marginalize generations of immigrants": in the Maghreb, the riots in France are reacting |language=fr |last1=Amrouche |first1=Karim |last2=Ben Hamadi |first2=Monia |last3=Collas |first3=Aurélie |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2023/07/03/la-france-continue-a-marginaliser-des-generations-d-immigres-au-maghreb-les-emeutes-en-france-font-reagir_6180270_3212.html |date=3 July 2023 |work=] |access-date=3 July 2023 |archive-date=4 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704065828/https://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2023/07/03/la-france-continue-a-marginaliser-des-generations-d-immigres-au-maghreb-les-emeutes-en-france-font-reagir_6180270_3212.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
] and ] have been criticized for relaying the police's account without any caution in the early hours of the event, before changing their narrative in response to the video evidence and pressure from other media outlets.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |title=Mort de Nahel : une vidéo qui change tout et un cocktail explosif |trans-title=Death of Nahel: a video that changes everything and an explosive cocktail |url=https://www.liberation.fr/politique/mort-de-nael-une-video-qui-change-tout-et-un-cocktail-explosif-20230628_Q3YIJEFEHVEYBODLHJO3MKZIQY/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629191355/https://www.liberation.fr/politique/mort-de-nael-une-video-qui-change-tout-et-un-cocktail-explosif-20230628_Q3YIJEFEHVEYBODLHJO3MKZIQY/ |archive-date=29 June 2023 |access-date=28 June 2023 |website=] |language=fr}}</ref>


The ] asked France to address systemic racism within its police forces, and called for the protests to be peaceful.<ref>{{cite news |first=Gabrielle |last=Tétrault-Farber |title=UN says France fatal shooting an opportunity to address racism in law enforcement |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/un-says-france-fatal-shooting-an-opportunity-address-racism-law-enforcement-2023-06-30/ |access-date=1 July 2023 |work=] |date=30 June 2023 |language=en |archive-date=30 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630152415/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/un-says-france-fatal-shooting-an-opportunity-address-racism-law-enforcement-2023-06-30/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=UN rights office calls on France to address 'deep issues' of racism in policing |url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/06/1138247 |website=] |access-date=1 July 2023 |language=en |date=30 June 2023 |archive-date=30 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630164101/https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/06/1138247 |url-status=live}}</ref><!--cited for the agency's full name-->
], president of the conservative political party ], expressed his support for the police, dubbing them defenders of collective security and denouncing the ensuing unrest as unjustified.<ref name=":10" /> The French ] held a ] to mourn.<ref name=":12">{{Cite web |last= |date=28 June 2023 |title=France braces for protests after 'unforgivable' police shooting |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20230628-protests-flare-up-in-france-after-police-shoot-teenager |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629054751/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20230628-protests-flare-up-in-france-after-police-shoot-teenager |archive-date=29 June 2023 |access-date=28 June 2023 |website=] |language=en}}</ref>


A fundraiser on ] for the officer's family was set up by the ] politician ]. When it closed on 4 July, it had raised €1,636,200, far greater than the €200,000 raised in support of Merzouk's family. the officer's family will receive €625,000 after taxation and platform fees.<ref>{{cite news |title=France riots: €1m donated to policeman who killed Nahel Merzouk |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/stop-rioting-nahel-merzouks-grandmother-tells-france-80vcxtzll |first=Charles |last=Bremner |date=3 July 2023 |work=] |access-date=4 July 2023 |archive-date=5 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705030134/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/stop-rioting-nahel-merzouks-grandmother-tells-france-80vcxtzll |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |first=Maxence |last=D'Aversa |url=https://www.challenges.fr/politique/mort-de-nahel-la-famille-du-policier-devra-payer-pres-d-un-million-d-euros-d-impot-sur-les-dons_860873|title=Mort de Nahel : la famille du policier devra payer près d'1 million d'euros d'impôt|date=5 July 2023|website=Challenges|access-date=8 July 2023|archive-date=5 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705223724/https://www.challenges.fr/politique/mort-de-nahel-la-famille-du-policier-devra-payer-pres-d-un-million-d-euros-d-impot-sur-les-dons_860873|url-status=live}}</ref>
The ] expressed its "shock and consternation the brutal and tragic disappearance of the young Nahel" on 29 June, adding that it trusted the ] to assume its duty of protection and security for Algerian nationals on French territory. The Moroccan press was critical of what it called Algerian interference in internal French domestic affairs and use of the crisis to political advantage.<ref>{{Cite news |title=« La France continue à marginaliser des générations d'immigrés » : au Maghreb, les émeutes en France font réagir |trans-title="France continues to marginalize generations of immigrants": in the Maghreb, the riots in France are reacting |language=fr |last1=Amrouche |first1=Karim |last2=Ben Hamadi |first2=Monia |last3=Collas |first3=Aurélie |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2023/07/03/la-france-continue-a-marginaliser-des-generations-d-immigres-au-maghreb-les-emeutes-en-france-font-reagir_6180270_3212.html |date=3 July 2023 |work=] |access-date=3 July 2023 |archive-date=4 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704065828/https://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2023/07/03/la-france-continue-a-marginaliser-des-generations-d-immigres-au-maghreb-les-emeutes-en-france-font-reagir_6180270_3212.html |url-status=live}}</ref>


An article signed by more than one hundred personalities, including ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ] was published in '']'', entitled "This time, everyone has seen" and calling for participation in the united march against police violence on July 15, 2023. They endorsed the demands of groups of families of victims and activist organizations.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.humanite.fr/idees-debats-tribunes/mort-de-nahel/tribune-mort-de-nahel-cette-fois-tout-le-monde-vu-802823 |title=Tribune. Mort de Nahel : " Cette fois, tout le monde a vu " |date=2023-07-12 |website=L'Humanité|access-date=2023-07-30}}</ref>
The ] asked France to address systemic racism within its police forces, and called for the protests to be peaceful.<ref>{{cite news |title=UN says France fatal shooting an opportunity to address racism in law enforcement |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/un-says-france-fatal-shooting-an-opportunity-address-racism-law-enforcement-2023-06-30/ |access-date=1 July 2023 |work=] |date=30 June 2023 |language=en |archive-date=30 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630152415/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/un-says-france-fatal-shooting-an-opportunity-address-racism-law-enforcement-2023-06-30/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=UN rights office calls on France to address 'deep issues' of racism in policing {{!}} UN News |url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/06/1138247 |website=] |access-date=1 July 2023 |language=en |date=30 June 2023 |archive-date=30 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630164101/https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/06/1138247 |url-status=live}}</ref><!--cited for the agency's full name-->

A fundraiser on ] for the accused officer's family was set up by ], a former advisor for Marine Le Pen, a ] politician.<ref>{{Cite news |date=3 July 2023 |title=Fund for French police officer who killed Nahel M tops $1m |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/7/3/fund-for-french-police-officer-who-killed-nahel-m-tops-1m |access-date=12 July 2023 |work=] |language=en |archive-date=4 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704200134/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/7/3/fund-for-french-police-officer-who-killed-nahel-m-tops-1m |url-status=live}}</ref> When it closed on 4 July, it had raised €1,636,200 in support of the family of the officer involved in the shooting, far greater than the €200,000 raised in support of Merzouk's family. The officer's family will receive €625,000 after taxation and platform fees.<ref>{{cite news |title=France riots: €1m donated to policeman who killed Nahel Merzouk |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/stop-rioting-nahel-merzouks-grandmother-tells-france-80vcxtzll |work=] |access-date=4 July 2023 |archive-date=5 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705030134/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/stop-rioting-nahel-merzouks-grandmother-tells-france-80vcxtzll |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.challenges.fr/politique/mort-de-nahel-la-famille-du-policier-devra-payer-pres-d-un-million-d-euros-d-impot-sur-les-dons_860873|title=Mort de Nahel : la famille du policier devra payer près d'1 million d'euros d'impôt|date=5 July 2023|website=Challenges|access-date=8 July 2023|archive-date=5 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705223724/https://www.challenges.fr/politique/mort-de-nahel-la-famille-du-policier-devra-payer-pres-d-un-million-d-euros-d-impot-sur-les-dons_860873|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Unrest ===
{{multiple image
| perrow = 2
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| image1 = Voiture en flamme, Champigny - 30 juin 2023.jpg
| image2 = Biocop de Brest2.jpg
| image3 = Biocop de Brest10.jpg
| footer = Aftermath of the ]
}}
{{main|Nahel Merzouk protests}}
Public outcry and outrage over the shooting of Merzouk evolved into protests and riots. In Nanterre, residents protested outside the police headquarters on 27 June, which escalated into rioting. Demonstrators set cars alight, trashed bus stops, and shot fireworks at police.<ref>{{Cite news |title=France braces for further protests after police kill teenager |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/6/28/outrage-in-france-after-police-shoot-17-year-old-in-paris-suburb |access-date=28 June 2023 |work=] |language=en |archive-date=29 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629214904/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/6/28/outrage-in-france-after-police-shoot-17-year-old-in-paris-suburb |url-status=live}}</ref> In ], just south of Paris, a group of youths reportedly set a bus ablaze.<ref name=":13" />


=== Polemics on immigration ===
In ], a town 40 km northwest of Paris,<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Rabemanantsoa |first1=Anna |last2=Winsor |first2=Morgan |title=Teenager's death during police traffic stop sparks violent unrest in Paris suburb |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/nanterre-paris-teenager-police-shooting-protests/story?id=100434360 |access-date=29 June 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=29 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629190047/https://abcnews.go.com/International/nanterre-paris-teenager-police-shooting-protests/story?id=100434360 |url-status=live}}</ref> the ] was set ablaze after being ]<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mortimer |first=Gavin |date=28 June 2023 |title=France erupts in violence after police shoot dead a teenager |url=https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/france-erupts-in-violence-after-police-shoot-dead-a-teenager/ |access-date=29 June 2023 |work=] |language=en-US |archive-date=29 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629171139/https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/france-erupts-in-violence-after-police-shoot-dead-a-teenager/ |url-status=live}}</ref> on the night of 27 June, burning until 3:15 (CEST).<ref name=":13" /> Clashes continued throughout the night across France, including in ] and ].<ref name=":13" /> Unrest was also reported in ], ], ], ], ] and ].<ref name=":8" />
{{interlanguage link|Céline Pina|fr}}, in an op-ed in '']'',<ref>{{cite web |website=Atlantico |url=https://atlantico.fr/article/decryptage/les-emeutiers-des-francais-qui-ne-se-sentent-pas-comme-les-autres-cette-analyse-interdite-a-la-droite-mais-revendiquee-par-l-extreme-gauche-celine-pina-malik-bezouh-violences-urbaines-emeutes-emeutiers-identite-nationale |title=Emeutes : Pourquoi la droite n'a-t-elle pas le droit de dire que les émeutiers sont des Français qui ne se sentent pas comme les autres ? |last=Pecnard |first=Jules |language=fr |date=8 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709174952/https://atlantico.fr/article/decryptage/les-emeutiers-des-francais-qui-ne-se-sentent-pas-comme-les-autres-cette-analyse-interdite-a-la-droite-mais-revendiquee-par-l-extreme-gauche-celine-pina-malik-bezouh-violences-urbaines-emeutes-emeutiers-identite-nationale |archive-date=9 July 2023 |access-date=9 July 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref> and {{interlanguage link|Ivan Rioufol|fr}}, in an op-ed in '']''<ref>{{cite web |website=] |last=Rioufol |first=Ivan |url=https://www.causeur.fr/emeutes-hidjab-nael-ces-effets-de-la-societe-ouverte-multiculturalisme-262539 |language=fr |date=28 June 2023 |title=Émeutes, hidjab: ces effets de la société ouverte |trans-title=Riots, hijab: these effects of the open society |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230715012419/https://www.causeur.fr/emeutes-hidjab-nael-ces-effets-de-la-societe-ouverte-multiculturalisme-262539 |archive-date=15 July 2023 |access-date=15 July 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref> and during an appearance on ],<ref>{{cite web |last=Gontier |first=Samuel |date=6 July 2023 |url=https://www.telerama.fr/television/immigration-barbares-et-guerre-civile-apres-la-mort-de-nahel-les-chaines-info-peaufinent-leurs-analyses-7016323.php |language=fr |website=Telerama |title=Immigration, barbares et guerre civile : après la mort de Nahel, les chaînes info peaufinent leurs analyses |trans-title=Immigration, barbarians and civil war: after Nahel's death, the news networks polish up their analyses |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709174952/https://www.telerama.fr/television/immigration-barbares-et-guerre-civile-apres-la-mort-de-nahel-les-chaines-info-peaufinent-leurs-analyses-7016323.php |archive-date=9 July 2023 |access-date=9 July 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref> opined that the violence was related to immigration and Islam. The ] ], when asked by a senator from ] to describe "in what way" the rioters were French, replied that "there were many Kevins and Mattéos among those arrested" and said that he thought any ] reading of the events would be a mistake. Darmanin repeated that the policeman who shot Merzouk during a traffic check "obviously did not respect the law".<ref>{{Cite news |newspaper=] |title=Emeutes urbaines : devant le Sénat, Gérald Darmanin défend son bilan |trans-title=Urban riots: facing the Senate, Gérald Darmanin defends his record |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/politique/article/2023/07/05/emeutes-urbaines-devant-le-senat-gerald-darmanin-defend-son-bilan_6180712_823448.html |first1=Mariama |last1=Darame |first2=Jérémie |last2=Lamothe |date=5 July 2023 |language=fr |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230730110921/https://www.lemonde.fr/politique/article/2023/07/05/emeutes-urbaines-devant-le-senat-gerald-darmanin-defend-son-bilan_6180712_823448.html |archive-date=30 July 2023 |access-date=16 July 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref> The emphasis on immigration by ] was described by the magazine '']'' as part of a campaign strategy to attract ] and ] voters in upcoming elections.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Jules |last=Pecnard |date=7 July 2023 |url=https://www.marianne.net/politique/droite/ordre-delinquance-immigration-lr-se-raccroche-aux-emeutes-pour-survivre |title=Ordre, délinquance, immigration… LR se raccroche aux émeutes pour survivre |trans-title=Order, delinquency, immigration… LR clings to the riots to survive |language=fr |access-date=8 July 2023 |archive-date=8 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230708184227/https://www.marianne.net/politique/droite/ordre-delinquance-immigration-lr-se-raccroche-aux-emeutes-pour-survivre |url-status=live}}</ref>


== Unrest ==
By 29 June, over 150 people had been arrested,<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Chrisafis |first1=Angelique |last2=Paris |first2=Angelique Chrisafisin |date=29 June 2023 |title=France police shooting: 150 arrests as protests widen over teenager's death |language=en-GB |work=] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jun/29/france-police-shooting-second-night-of-unrest-as-protests-over-teenagers-death-spread |access-date=29 June 2023 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=30 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630033240/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jun/29/france-police-shooting-second-night-of-unrest-as-protests-over-teenagers-death-spread |url-status=live}}</ref> 24 officers had been injured, and 40 cars had been torched.<ref name=":14" /><ref name=":9" /> Fearing greater unrest, ], ] of France, deployed 1,200 riot police and ] in and around Paris, later adding an additional 2,000.<ref name=":9" /><ref name=":13" /><ref name=":14" /> On 29 June, Darmanin announced that the government would deploy 40,000 troops nationwide.<ref>{{Cite news |title=France to deploy 40,000 officers in wake of riots DW – 06/29/2023 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/france-teen-shooting-riots-live-updates/live-66064274 |access-date=29 June 2023 |work=] |language=en |archive-date=30 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630020639/https://www.dw.com/en/france-teen-shooting-riots-live-updates/live-66064274 |url-status=live}}</ref> According to the Interior Ministry, over 1,350 vehicles were set on fire, and over 1,300 arrests were made in connection with the riots.<ref name="TELEGRAPH">{{cite news |date=1 July 2023 |title=Police arrest 1,300 rioters in fourth night of violence ahead of slain teenager's funeral |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/07/01/police-arrest-1000-rioters-nahel-funeral-france-violence/ |work=] |access-date=1 July 2023 |archive-date=1 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701094916/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/07/01/police-arrest-1000-rioters-nahel-funeral-france-violence/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
{{main|Nahel Merzouk riots}}
]
Public outcry and outrage over the shooting of Merzouk evolved into protests and riots (with some preferring the term "revolt").<ref name="revolt or riot" /> In Nanterre, residents protested outside the police headquarters on 27 June, which escalated into rioting. Demonstrators set cars alight, trashed bus stops, and shot fireworks at police.<ref>{{Cite news |title=France braces for further protests after police kill teenager |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/6/28/outrage-in-france-after-police-shoot-17-year-old-in-paris-suburb |access-date=28 June 2023 |work=] |language=en |archive-date=29 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629214904/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/6/28/outrage-in-france-after-police-shoot-17-year-old-in-paris-suburb |url-status=live}}</ref> In ], just south of Paris, a group of youths reportedly set a bus ablaze.<ref name="sorrow" />


In ], a town 40&nbsp;km northwest of Paris,<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Rabemanantsoa |first1=Anna |last2=Winsor |first2=Morgan |title=Teenager's death during police traffic stop sparks violent unrest in Paris suburb |date=28 June 2023 |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/nanterre-paris-teenager-police-shooting-protests/story?id=100434360 |access-date=29 June 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=29 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629190047/https://abcnews.go.com/International/nanterre-paris-teenager-police-shooting-protests/story?id=100434360 |url-status=live}}</ref> the ] was set ablaze after being ]<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mortimer |first=Gavin |date=28 June 2023 |title=France erupts in violence after police shoot dead a teenager |url=https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/france-erupts-in-violence-after-police-shoot-dead-a-teenager/ |access-date=29 June 2023 |work=] |language=en-US |archive-date=29 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629171139/https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/france-erupts-in-violence-after-police-shoot-dead-a-teenager/ |url-status=live}}</ref> on the night of 27 June, burning until 3:15 (CEST).<ref name="sorrow" /> Clashes continued throughout the night across France, including in ] and ].<ref name="sorrow" /> Unrest was also reported in ], ], ], ], ] and ].<ref name=":8" />
On 29 June, a ] march was held in Nanterre.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Foroudi |first1=Layli |last2=Olive |first2=Noemie |date=29 June 2023 |title=France unrest: Riots spread, thousands march in memory of shot teenager |language=en |work=] |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/france-150-arrests-overnight-unrest-after-teenager-killed-by-police-2023-06-29/ |access-date=29 June 2023 |archive-date=30 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630030231/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/france-150-arrests-overnight-unrest-after-teenager-killed-by-police-2023-06-29/ |url-status=live}}</ref>


By 29 June, over 150 people had been arrested,<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Chrisafis |first1=Angelique |last2=Paris |first2=Angelique Chrisafisin |date=29 June 2023 |title=France police shooting: 150 arrests as protests widen over teenager's death |language=en-GB |work=] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jun/29/france-police-shooting-second-night-of-unrest-as-protests-over-teenagers-death-spread |access-date=29 June 2023 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=30 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630033240/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jun/29/france-police-shooting-second-night-of-unrest-as-protests-over-teenagers-death-spread |url-status=live}}</ref> 24 officers had been injured, and 40 cars had been torched.<ref name=":14" /><ref name=":9" /> Fearing greater unrest, Darmanin deployed 1,200 riot police and ] in and around Paris, later adding an additional 2,000.<ref name=":9" /><ref name="sorrow" /><ref name=":14" /> On 29 June, he announced that the government would deploy 40,000 troops nationwide.<ref>{{Cite news |title=France to deploy 40,000 officers in wake of riots |date=29 June 2023 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/france-teen-shooting-riots-live-updates/live-66064274 |access-date=29 June 2023 |work=] |language=en |archive-date=30 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630020639/https://www.dw.com/en/france-teen-shooting-riots-live-updates/live-66064274 |url-status=live}}</ref> According to Darmanin, over 1,350 vehicles were set on fire, and over 1,300 arrests were made in connection with the riots.<ref name="TELEGRAPH">{{cite news |first=Roland |last=Oliphant |date=1 July 2023 |title=Police arrest 1,300 rioters in fourth night of violence ahead of slain teenager's funeral |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/07/01/police-arrest-1000-rioters-nahel-funeral-france-violence/ |work=] |access-date=1 July 2023 |archive-date=1 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701094916/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/07/01/police-arrest-1000-rioters-nahel-funeral-france-violence/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
On 1 July, rioters sprayed anti-police slogans onto the walls of the {{Lang|fr|Mémorial des Martyrs de la Déportation et de la Résistance}} in Nanterre, a Holocaust memorial, drawing condemnation from the ]. "We're going to make a ]" was painted nearby.<ref>{{Cite web |first=MMartine |last=Gozlan |date=3 July 2023 |url=https://www.marianne.net/societe/police-et-justice/memorial-de-la-deportation-tague-slogans-antisemites-le-desarroi-des-juifs-francais-en-marge-des-emeutes |title=Mémorial de la déportation tagué, slogans antisémites : le désarroi des juifs français en marge des émeutes |trans-title=Deportation memorial tagged, anti-Semitic slogans: the disarray of French Jews on the sidelines of the riots |language=fr |access-date=8 July 2023 |archive-date=5 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705184131/https://www.marianne.net/societe/police-et-justice/memorial-de-la-deportation-tague-slogans-antisemites-le-desarroi-des-juifs-francais-en-marge-des-emeutes |url-status=live}}</ref><ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701122531/https://www.timesofisrael.com/memorial-to-holocaust-victims-wwii-resistance-defaced-during-riots-in-france/amp/ |date=1 July 2023 }}, timesofisrael.com, 1 July 2023. Retrieved 6 July 2023</ref>


On the afternoon of June 29, thousands of people<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Foroudi |first1=Layli |last2=Olive |first2=Noemie |date=29 June 2023 |title=France unrest: Riots spread, thousands march in memory of shot teenager |language=en |work=] |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/france-150-arrests-overnight-unrest-after-teenager-killed-by-police-2023-06-29/ |access-date=29 June 2023 |archive-date=30 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630030231/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/france-150-arrests-overnight-unrest-after-teenager-killed-by-police-2023-06-29/ |url-status=live}}</ref> held a ] led by mothers and activists in Nanterre demanding "justice for Nahel". The participants railed against what they perceived as a culture of police impunity and a failure to reform law enforcement in a country that has experienced waves of rioting and protests over police conduct.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiM4CwTuBrA |title=Nahel : Marche Blanche et Colelère noire |date=2023-06-30 |access-date=2023-07-29 |website=BLAST, Le souffle de l'info |publisher=youtube.com |archive-date=29 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230729203223/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiM4CwTuBrA |url-status=live }}</ref> A few hours later, the officer implicated in the killing, was indicted for intentional homicide and remanded in custody.<ref>{{Cite web |first1=Julien |last1=Lecot |first2=Ludovic |last2=Séré |first3=Stéphanie |last3=Maurice |first4=Théo |last4=Mouraby |url=https://www.liberation.fr/societe/apres-la-mort-de-nahel-la-france-en-voit-de-toutes-les-coleres-20230629_EG7I7TLZNNALXKQ62X3TJ6XSKM/ |title=Après la mort de Nahel, la France en voit de toutes les colères |date=2023-06-29 |access-date=2023-07-29 |website=Libération (in French). |archive-date=29 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230729211617/https://www.liberation.fr/societe/apres-la-mort-de-nahel-la-france-en-voit-de-toutes-les-coleres-20230629_EG7I7TLZNNALXKQ62X3TJ6XSKM/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
An ] bar in ], "L'Happy Café", closed following threats published on social media which read "We burn fags, let them burn in hell, on the ]", "Bomb the Happy Café, our religion must be respected, Allah Akbar".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.lefigaro.fr/actualite-france/on-brule-les-pd-qu-ils-crevent-en-enfer-le-coran-menace-par-les-emeutiers-un-cafe-lgbt-ferme-a-brest-20230702 | title=«On brûle les PD, qu'ils crèvent en enfer le Coran»: Menacé par les émeutiers, un café LGBT fermé temporairement à Brest | date=2 July 2023 }}</ref>


== See also == ==See also==
{{Portal|France}} {{Portal|France}}
* ] * ]
* ] and subsequent ]
* ]
* ] * ] following the death of Zyed Benna, 17, and Bouna Traoré, 15
* ] following the deaths of Moushin S., 15, and Larami S., 16
* ] following the death of Mohamed Benmouna, 21


== Notes == == Notes ==
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{{Reflist}} {{Reflist}}


== External links == ==External links==
* {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629181852/https://twitter.com/Ohana_Fgn/status/1673608693265453056 |date=2023-06-29 |title=Video of the killing}} * {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629181852/https://twitter.com/Ohana_Fgn/status/1673608693265453056 |date=2023-06-29 |title=Video of the killing}}


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Latest revision as of 09:05, 12 November 2024

2023 police shooting in France

Killing of Nahel Merzouk
Image of Merzouk distributed by his mother
Date27 June 2023
LocationNanterre, France
Coordinates48°53′55″N 2°13′17″E / 48.8985°N 2.2213°E / 48.8985; 2.2213
TypePolice shooting
OutcomeMass urban riots
DeathsNahel Merzouk
AccusedFlorian M.
ChargesVoluntary homicide by a person in authority

On 27 June 2023, Nahel Merzouk (25 February 2006 – 27 June 2023), a 17-year-old French youth of Moroccan and Algerian descent, was shot at point-blank range and killed by police officer Florian M., when he didn't comply with a request to turn off ignition and attempted to drive away in Nanterre, a suburb of Paris, France. Initial reporting on the incident (informed by police statements) was later contradicted by a video posted online, which led to widespread protests and riots. Symbols of the state such as town halls, schools, police stations, and other buildings were attacked. The Interior Ministry reported that more than 5,000 vehicles had been set on fire, along with 10,000 garbage cans; nearly 1,000 buildings had been burnt, damaged or looted; 250 police stations and gendarmeries had been attacked; and more than 700 police officers had been injured.

The killing—condemned by President Emmanuel Macron as "inexplicable" and "inexcusable"—became part of a broader public debate regarding aggressive French law enforcement, racial profiling, immigration, and the stakes of naming the suburban violence a "riot" rather than a "revolt". On 28 June, the president of the National Assembly, Yaël Braun-Pivet, asked deputies "to respect a minute of silence in Nahel's memory".

Background

See also: Crime in France and Law enforcement in France
"Justice for Nahel, justice for all, the racist state kills, our revolts are legitimate!"
Poster for a demonstration in Marseille, following the police shooting

France saw a rise in police violence in France in the years before the killing. In 2017, a law was passed permitting police to shoot at a vehicle fleeing a traffic stop, if the driver was putting the passengers or passersby at risk. This shooting was the third fatal shooting that occurred during a traffic stop in France in 2023. In 2020, there were three deaths, followed by two in 2021, and 13 in 2022, leading to the indictment of five police officers. The victims were often people of black or Maghrebi origin, leading to allegations of systemic racism within the French police. In May 2023, national representatives at the United Nations Human Rights Council criticized the country's police force and urged the implementation of significant measures to address excessive use of force in demonstrations. The French government has frequently downplayed instances of police violence, sometimes even avoiding the use of the term itself, while police unions opposed repealing or revising the 2017 law.

On 19 July 2016, Adama Traoré, a 24-year-old black man, died while in custody after being restrained and apprehended by the police. This incident sparked widespread public outcry and protests, which reignited in May 2020 when the officers involved were cleared of any wrongdoing. On 14 June 2023, Alhoussein Camara, a 19-year-old, was killed during a road check in Angoulême. His body was repatriated to Conakry, Guinea, by his family and the Guinean authorities. While there, they appealed to France for justice to be served.

Victim

Nahel Merzouk (French pronunciation: [naɛl mɛʁzuk]; Arabic: نايل مرزوق) was a 17-year-old enrolled at the Lycée Louis-Blériot in Suresnes, where he attended classes for six months before dropping out and working as a pizza delivery driver in Nanterre. He did not have a driving license allowing him to drive the rented Mercedes he died in. According to a paramedic who knew him, his father left his mother before he was born. According to his family's lawyers, Merzouk had no criminal record but the prosecutor confirmed he was "known to police", particularly for resisting arrest, and had been charged with resisting arrest the previous weekend and five times since 2021. According to information leaked to Europe 1, his police file (TAJ) included 15 recorded incidents, including the use of false license plates and driving without insurance.

Shooting

Prosecution version

A yellow Mercedes-Benz A-Class (W177), similar to the one driven by Merzouk
Nelson Mandela Square in Nanterre after the killing
Sign at Nelson Mandela Square: «Combien de Nahel n'ont pas été filmés ?!?» (How many Nahels have not been filmed?)

According to the public prosecutor of Nanterre, two Paris Police Prefecture motorcycle officers noticed a Mercedes-Benz A Class AMG with a Polish license plate driving at high speed in a bus lane, driven by a young-looking person at around 7:55 am. The officers activated their warning signals (audible and visual) and indicated to the driver of the car, then stationary at a red traffic light, to stop. The vehicle started moving and ran the red light. The officers followed the car and alerted their superiors via radio. The car committed multiple traffic violations, endangering a pedestrian and a cyclist.

Due to traffic congestion, the vehicle was eventually forced to stop. The police officers got off their motorcycles, pointed their guns at the driver, and ordered him to turn off the engine. Instead, the vehicle started to pull away, and one of the police officers, 38-year-old Florian M., working his ninth consecutive day without a day off, fired a shot at the driver at point-blank range. The vehicle continued forward before crashing into the street sign marking the Nelson Mandela Square at 8:19 am. The rear passenger was arrested when he exited the vehicle. The front right passenger fled. Florian M. provided first aid to the driver, who was pronounced dead at 9:15 am.

Police records indicate that Merzouk was known for previous incidents in which he failed to comply with traffic stops. On the day of his death, it is alleged that he "disobeyed and committed several traffic offences, endangering the lives of a pedestrian and a cyclist", and refused to turn off the ignition. Police shot Merzouk when the Mercedes began moving forward after it had been stopped.

The use of firearms by the police, during traffic controls in the event of failure to comply, is currently regulated by a law adopted in 2017.

Authorities arrested Florian M. on suspicion of "voluntary homicide by a person in authority". Police unions complained against the arrest. Minister of the Interior Gérald Darmanin said he would seek the dissolution of a small far-right union, Syndicat France Police, which welcomed the shooting of Merzouk.

Police version challenged by a video

According to the police, Florian M. fired his weapon as the young driver was about to run him over. This version, citing self-defense, was challenged after the publication of a video showing that the car was not in a position to harm the police officers and was not heading towards them. According to Le Monde, "the 50-second sequence, which has gone viral on social media, has literally swept away the language elements initially disseminated by police sources and repeated by some media." The video shows that the two police officers were on the driver's side of the Mercedes. The car was moving off when the officer fired the shot at point-blank range.

Version from the third passenger

On 30 June 2023, a third passenger aboard the Mercedes testified that Merzouk received several buttstrokes. According to them, the third buttstroke made Merzouk release the brake pedal, causing the car to move forward, given that the gearbox was automatic. According to BFM TV, this version differs from that put forward by the police, as according to the Prefect of Police of Paris Laurent Nuñez: "the driver had first turned off the engine, restarted the vehicle, then left. It was in this context that the police officer used his firearm."

Investigation

Florian M. is under investigation for manslaughter and was placed in custody for the charge of "voluntary homicide by a person in authority". The police have maintained that the shooting was an act of self-defense, as they argue that Merzouk was driving towards the officer. However, since the video was released, this claim has faced significant criticism. Yassine Bouzrou, a lawyer representing Merzouk, has stated that the video completely disproves this assertion and alleges that the brigadier had an "intention to kill". Other lawyers representing Merzouk have made similar remarks.

Two investigations have been initiated: "refusal to comply" against Merzouk, and "voluntary homicide by a person in authority" against Florian M. The latter investigation has been assigned to the General Inspectorate of the National Police (IGPN).

Initial reactions

French President Emmanuel Macron declared the incident "inexcusable and unforgivable", adding that it "moved the entire nation". Macron's statements were a rare critique of French law enforcement from government officials. The BBC's Hugh Schofield attributed this to the effects of social media, allowing for the dissemination of such videos with ease, as well as fear stemming from the ensuing riots. Alliance Police nationale, the largest French police union, criticized Macron for "condemn our colleagues before justice has had the chance to speak". Far-right politician Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Rally party, dubbed Macron's statements as "excessive" and "irresponsible", adding that "the president is prepared to ignore constitutional principles in a bid to put out a potential fire." Left-wing politician and former La France Insoumise party leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon called for police reform. Éric Ciotti, party leader of the conservative party LR, expressed his support for the police, dubbing them defenders of collective security and denouncing the ensuing unrest as unjustified.

French football player Kylian Mbappé took to Twitter to denounce the incident as "unacceptable" and sent condolences to Merzouk's family. Mike Maignan, a footballer for AC Milan, stated on Twitter that "It's always for the same people that being in the wrong leads to death." FC Barcelona footballer Jules Koundé criticized the coverage of the incident, stating that news media were capitalizing on it to "distort the truth" and find excuses to criminalize Merzouk. French actor and comedian Omar Sy sent condolences to the family.

Merzouk's mother called for a "a revolt for my son" on TikTok. Merzouk's grandmother stated that she lacked forgiveness for the police and government, stating "They killed my grandson, now I don't care about anyone, they took my grandson from me, I will never forgive them in my life, never, never, never."

Le Parisien and BFM TV have been criticized for relaying the police's account without any caution in the early hours of the event, before changing their narrative in response to the video evidence and pressure from other media outlets.

The Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its "shock and consternation the brutal and tragic disappearance of the young Nahel", adding that it trusted the French government to assume its duty of protection and security for Algerian nationals on French territory. The Moroccan press was critical of what it called Algerian interference in internal French domestic affairs and use of the crisis to political advantage.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights asked France to address systemic racism within its police forces, and called for the protests to be peaceful.

A fundraiser on GoFundMe for the officer's family was set up by the far-right politician Jean Messiha. When it closed on 4 July, it had raised €1,636,200, far greater than the €200,000 raised in support of Merzouk's family. the officer's family will receive €625,000 after taxation and platform fees.

An article signed by more than one hundred personalities, including Angela Davis, Achille Mbembe, Thomas Piketty, Annie Ernaux, Eric Cantona, Judith Butler, Ken Loach, Adèle Haenel, Peter Gabriel, and Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker was published in L'Humanité, entitled "This time, everyone has seen" and calling for participation in the united march against police violence on July 15, 2023. They endorsed the demands of groups of families of victims and activist organizations.

Polemics on immigration

Céline Pina [fr], in an op-ed in Atlantico, and Ivan Rioufol [fr], in an op-ed in Causeur and during an appearance on CNews, opined that the violence was related to immigration and Islam. The Minister of the Interior Gérald Darmanin, when asked by a senator from The Republicans to describe "in what way" the rioters were French, replied that "there were many Kevins and Mattéos among those arrested" and said that he thought any identity-based reading of the events would be a mistake. Darmanin repeated that the policeman who shot Merzouk during a traffic check "obviously did not respect the law". The emphasis on immigration by LR was described by the magazine Marianne as part of a campaign strategy to attract Eric Zemmour and Marine Le Pen voters in upcoming elections.

Unrest

Main article: Nahel Merzouk riots
The White March demanding "justice for Nahel", Nanterre 29 June 2023

Public outcry and outrage over the shooting of Merzouk evolved into protests and riots (with some preferring the term "revolt"). In Nanterre, residents protested outside the police headquarters on 27 June, which escalated into rioting. Demonstrators set cars alight, trashed bus stops, and shot fireworks at police. In Viry-Châtillon, just south of Paris, a group of youths reportedly set a bus ablaze.

In Mantes-la-Jolie, a town 40 km northwest of Paris, the town hall was set ablaze after being firebombed on the night of 27 June, burning until 3:15 (CEST). Clashes continued throughout the night across France, including in Toulouse and Lille. Unrest was also reported in Asnières, Colombes, Suresnes, Aubervilliers, Clichy-sous-Bois and Mantes-la-Jolie.

By 29 June, over 150 people had been arrested, 24 officers had been injured, and 40 cars had been torched. Fearing greater unrest, Darmanin deployed 1,200 riot police and gendarmes in and around Paris, later adding an additional 2,000. On 29 June, he announced that the government would deploy 40,000 troops nationwide. According to Darmanin, over 1,350 vehicles were set on fire, and over 1,300 arrests were made in connection with the riots.

On the afternoon of June 29, thousands of people held a white march led by mothers and activists in Nanterre demanding "justice for Nahel". The participants railed against what they perceived as a culture of police impunity and a failure to reform law enforcement in a country that has experienced waves of rioting and protests over police conduct. A few hours later, the officer implicated in the killing, was indicted for intentional homicide and remanded in custody.

See also

Notes

  1. Brigadier is a French police rank equivalent to sergeant.

References

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  5. ^ Lough, Richard (29 June 2023). "Paris police shooting: why are there riots in France?". Reuters. Archived from the original on 30 June 2023. Retrieved 25 July 2023. He was known to police for previous incidents in which he failed to comply with traffic stops, the local prosecutor Pascal Prache said.
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  8. Porter, Catherine (2 July 2023). "A Fatal Shooting and a Hijab Ban: Two Faces of France's Racial Divisions". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 12 July 2023. Retrieved 15 July 2023. In 2017, an investigation by France's civil liberties ombudsman, the Défenseur des Droits, found that "young men perceived to be Black or Arab" were 20 times as likely to be subjected to police identity checks compared with the rest of the population.
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  23. Lepoivre, Ambre (29 June 2023). "Refus d'obtempérer, conduite sans permis, stupéfiants: Nahel était connu au fichier des antécédents judiciaires". Le Figaro (in French). Retrieved 16 September 2023. qu'il conduisait sans permis
  24. ""C'était ma vie" : la mère de Nahel, tué par un policier, anéantie après la mort de son fils unique" ["He was my life": The mother of Nahel devastated after the killing of her only son by police]. La Voix du Nord (in French). 28 June 2023. Archived from the original on 28 June 2023. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  25. Kirby, Paul (30 June 2023). "France shooting: Who was Nahel M, shot by French police in Nanterre?". BBC News. Archived from the original on 30 June 2023. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  26. "A Nanterre, un ado de 17 ans tué par la police lors d'un contrôle routier : ce que l'on sait des faits" [In Nanterre, a 17-year-old teenager killed by the police during a traffic check: what we know about the facts]. Le Nouvel Observateur (in French). 27 June 2023. Archived from the original on 29 June 2023. Retrieved 30 June 2023. il était « connu des services de la justice notamment pour refus d'obtempérer » avait été déféré au parquet de Nanterre le week-end dernier, pour refus d'obtempérer Il avait également été mis en cause pour un autres refus d'obtempérer en 2022 [he was "known to the justice services, in particular for refusing to comply" had been referred to the Nanterre prosecutor's office last weekend, for refusing to comply He had also been placed in cause for another refusal to comply in 2022]
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