Voice of America
28 Nov 2020, 05:05 GMT+10
PARIS - President Emmanuel Macron said Friday that images showing Paris police beating up a Black music producer were shameful for France and that government would have to find a way to restore public confidence in the force.
Prosecutors are investigating the violent arrest of Michel Zecler, who said he was also racially abused by the officers, after CCTV footage of the incident was released. The police watchdog is also investigating.
Four police officers were being held for questioning as part of the investigation, the Paris prosecutor's office said.
The beating inside the entrance of a building was captured on closed circuit television and mobile phone footage, which has circulated widely online and has made headlines around Europe.
"The images we have all seen of the aggression against Michel Zecler are unacceptable. They are shameful for all of us. France should never allow violence or brutality, no matter who it comes from. France should never let hate or racism prosper," Macron said in a statement on his Facebook page.
'Respect the law'
He added that the police force should be exemplary.
"Those whose job it is to apply the law should respect the law," he said, adding that he has asked the government to urgently make proposals about how to restore confidence in the police.
The beating of Zecler risks inflaming racial tension, with allegations of repeated police brutality against Black and ethnic communities at the forefront of many people's minds after the death of Black American George Floyd in Minneapolis in May added fuel to the "Black Lives Matter" movement.
Dominique Sopo, president of anti-racism group SOS Racisme, told Reuters Zecler had been the target of a "racist attack."
"For police officers to act that way, they must have a tremendous feeling of impunity. This situation is a symptom of an impunity that has been going on for too long," he said.
Paris police already faced criticism this week after social media photos and videos showed officers hitting protesters as they cleared out an illegal migrants' campsite in a central Paris square.
Incident at studio
The music producer told reporters he was set upon by police at his studio in Paris's 17th arrondissement on Saturday.
He said he had been walking in the street without a face mask - against French COVID-19 health protocols - and, upon seeing a police car, went into his nearby studio to avoid being fined. However, he said, the police followed him inside and began to assault and racially abuse him.
Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin told France 2 television on Thursday that the officers would be punished if the alleged wrongdoing was confirmed.
Zecler's arrest came amid fierce debate in France over legislation that would limit journalists' ability to document French police officers at work.
Around 3,500 people marched against the bill in the western city of Nantes, where police used tear gas and made several arrests. Many in the march also protested against police violence, some with their faces bandaged in support of Zecler. A similar demonstration is planned in Paris on Saturday.
The outrage generated by Floyd's death in the U.S. in May has resonated in France, particularly in deprived city suburbs where police often clash with youths from ethnic minority backgrounds.
Protests in Paris in June focused on unsolved cases of people dying during police operations, such as Adama Traore, who died in police detention near Paris in 2016.
Get a daily dose of International Technology news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to International Technology.
More InformationPort of Spain [Trinidad and Tobago], July 5 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid an official visit to Trinidad and Tobago from...
Port of Spain [Trinidad and Tobago], July 5 (ANI): During his visit to Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a number...
Port of Spain [Trinidad and Tobago] July 5 (ANI): India and Trinidad and Tobago have signed six agreements during Prime Minister Narendra...
President Trump has ordered higher entrance fees for foreign visitors to U.S. national parks, sparking concerns from environmental...
Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) [India], July 4 (ANI): Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Friday transferred Laptop grants worth Rs 235.58 crore...
NANNING/GUANGZHOU, July 4 (Xinhua) -- Hidden for years in a flowerpot behind Zhan Pu's childhood home in the southern Chinese city...
Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], July 6 (ANI): Launching a scathing attack on the Centre, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin said the...
The billionaire has vowed to give freedom back to the people and accused the US elites of bankrupting the nation ...
Patna (Bihar) [India], July 5 (ANI): Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor on Saturday raised concerns over the rising crime incidents...
Patna (Bihar) [India], July 5 (ANI): BJP leader Ravishankar Prasad on Saturday said he was 'saddened' over the murder of businessman...
Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], July 5 (ANI): Social media abuse of children must be treated without mercy for the culprits, said Telangana...
Patna (Bihar) [India], June 5 (ANI): Following the murder of prominent businessman Gopal Khemka, Bihar Director General of Police (DGP)...