Protesters Sue French Interior Minister Over Police Injuries
Lawyers for 18 victims filed a complaint with the Court of Justice of the Republic, alleging that crowd-control weapons caused permanent damage during recent demonstrations.
By Amina Yusuf ·
Attorneys representing wounded demonstrators filed a lawsuit against French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez on Friday.
The legal action follows weeks of student and cost-of-living protests that have resulted in serious injuries. Lawyers stated that at least 18 clients are represented in the case, with roughly ten consenting to sign a collective complaint. The group is targeting the minister directly because he issued orders for the use of weapons they describe as mutilating.
The dispute arises from a period of intense civil unrest in France. High school student blockades and mass rallies have occurred in recent weeks. These events take place less than six months before elections to replace President Emmanuel Macron. During this time, rights activists accused police of using disproportionate force. Specific incidents include a 15-year-old losing a hand to a crowd-control grenade in October. Another 14-year-old lost most of his teeth in September after a police officer fired a grenade at close range.
Arie Alimi, an attorney for the victims, said the lawyers would lodge the complaint with the Court of Justice of the Republic. This is the only court empowered to handle cases against sitting members of the government. Alimi stated that the goal is to hold the person responsible for the damage accountable. He noted that the chances of the complaint leading to a formal investigation are slim. However, he argued the legal step is necessary to prevent further injuries, particularly to children.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez responded to the accusations on Friday evening. He said he sincerely regretted the injuries sustained by protesters. Nuñez maintained that police acted with the greatest proportionality and within a legal framework. He described intermediate crowd-control measures, such as tear gas and grenades, as essential for law enforcement officers to perform their duties.
An AFP count indicates that police rubber-coated projectile balls and grenades have seriously injured at least 20 people since mid-September. This group includes teenagers. As of October 30, police had opened 105 internal investigations into allegations of brutality. Of those, 52 are linked to the student movement, 48 to protests on October 17 and 18, and five to incidents on October 24.
Attorneys cited specific cases from October 17, a day marked by arson and looting in several cities. Ahmed Benmezroua, a 27-year-old photographer, nearly died after a grenade ruptured an artery in his leg. A young engineer was at risk of losing a foot after a grenade exploded beneath it. A 19-year-old nursing student suffered a fractured nose and potential vision loss after being hit in the eye. In Strasbourg, a 27-year-old lost an eye after a sting-ball grenade was fired. In Mulhouse, a student named Maissa lost the use of an eye just before her 18th birthday.
