Four police officers in France have been ordered to stand trial after being charged with assaulting Michel Zecler, a prominent Black music producer, in November 2020. The shocking incident, captured on surveillance footage, underscored concerns about police brutality in France and sparked widespread outrage. Although the investigative judges dismissed allegations that two officers were motivated by racism—citing insufficient evidence for claims that racial slurs were used—this hasn't diminished the seriousness of the charges that the officers face.
Mr. Zecler's legal representation expressed disappointment over the omission of the racial motive in the trial, highlighting that testimonies and evidence supported his narrative. According to the prosecutor's office in Paris, three of the officers are charged with aggravated assault and filing a false police report, which falsely claimed Mr. Zecler had resisted arrest during an ID check. Footage from the encounter contradicted their narrative, showing Mr. Zecler being subjected to a severe beating.
The police officers are mainly charged with forgery and aggravated assault, potentially facing up to 15 years in prison and substantial fines totaling €225,000 (approximately $264,000). Identified only by their initials in accordance with French law, the officers' trial is expected to further highlight issues of police conduct and systemic racism in law enforcement practices across the nation.
