French police watchdog to probe Marseille protester's facial injuries
The IGPN opened an inquiry after a 39-year-old man said riot police beat him near a 31 October cost-of-living protest in Marseille, prosecutors said.
France's police watchdog, the IGPN, has opened an inquiry after a 39-year-old man said he was beaten by riot police following a 31 October demonstration against the cost of living in Marseille, prosecutors told Franceinfo.
The man filed a complaint alleging "deliberate violence with weapons, committed in a group, by a person holding public authority", resulting in more than eight days unable to work, Franceinfo reported. He told the broadcaster he lost seven teeth, broke his nose and needed six stitches.
He said he took part peacefully in the demonstration during the afternoon before going to eat and drink with friends on the Cours Julien. Heading home by bicycle that evening, he said he ran into a large charge by riot police in a nearby street. "I panicked and ran to escape the charge," he told Franceinfo. He fell to the ground and was beaten by several people before they moved on, he said. He denies taking part in any violence that broke out after the demonstration ended.
His lawyer, Mathilde Lante, said she wanted an IGPN investigation and for those responsible to be judged, according to France 3 Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur. The inquiry was opened three days after the incident, a prosecutor's office source told Franceinfo.
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What we know
- 1 outlet · Franceinfo A 39-year-old man has filed a complaint alleging he was beaten by riot police during a 31 October cost-of-living protest in Marseille.
- Official · prosecutor's office France's IGPN police watchdog opened an inquiry into the allegation three days later, a prosecutor's office source told Franceinfo.
- 1 outlet · Franceinfo The man says he lost seven teeth, broke his nose and needed six stitches.
- 1 outlet · Franceinfo He denies taking part in any violence that broke out after the demonstration.
Not yet confirmed
- Unconfirmed How many officers were involved, or whether any have been identified.
How each fact is established: Verified checked by an ECTV editorOfficial stated by an official body2+ outlets reported independently by two or more news organisations1 outlet reported by a single news organisation so farUnconfirmed claimed or reportedHow we label facts
Why it matters for Europe
Complaints like this test France's police watchdog system, which investigates alleged violence by officers during protests. The IGPN can recommend disciplinary or criminal proceedings, though opening an inquiry does not by itself establish wrongdoing by any officer.
Sources
Reported by 3 reports from 3 independent outlets in 1 countries.
- Franceinfo: Une enquête pour violences confiée à l'IGPN après qu'un homme a été blessé au visage à Marseille en marge des manifestations du 31 octobre
- Franceinfo: Une enquête pour violences confiée à l'IGPN après qu'un homme a été blessé au visage à Marseille en marge des manifestations du 31 octobre
- Nice-Matin: « Il s’est senti persécuté » : ce que l’on sait sur l’homme soupçonné d’avoir tiré au fusil de chasse et grièvement blessé un sapeur-pompier près de Marseille
- Franceinfo: Pompier blessé par balle près de Marseille : le suspect présenté à la justice mardi en vue d'une probable mise en examen
Source balance
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Intelligence file
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Questions and answers
- What is the man alleging?
- That riot police beat him near a 31 October cost-of-living protest in Marseille, causing him to lose seven teeth and break his nose.
- Who is investigating?
- France's IGPN police watchdog, after prosecutors opened an inquiry three days after the incident.
- Was the man part of the unrest that followed the protest?
- He denies it, telling Franceinfo he was heading home by bicycle when he ran into a police charge.
This article was written with AI assistance from 4 verified reports and checked under the ECTV editorial policy. Spotted an error? Request a correction.