Paris CRS Trial: Brutality & Broken Trust 💔⚖️
Europe
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In Paris, during the “gilets jaunes” demonstrations of 2018 and 2019, nine members of the CRS police division faced trial. These officers were accused of repeatedly striking non-hostile demonstrators. The prosecution detailed instances where officers, equipped with batons and shields, struck protesters who were sheltering from teargas or attempting to move while raising their hands. A CRS officer received a two-month suspended sentence following an incident in December 2019, where he was filmed throwing a paving stone at a protester. The trial reflects concerns about the actions of riot police during these widespread anti-government demonstrations.
CRIMINAL TRIAL: POLICE BEATINGS DURING ‘GRIEF VESTS’ PROTESTS
The trial of nine members of the French riot police’s CRS division, known as “Gendarmerie,” commenced in Paris in 2018, focusing on allegations of repeated assaults against peaceful demonstrators during the “gilets jaunes” (yellow vests) anti-government protests. This case represents one of the most significant legal proceedings concerning alleged police brutality during the 2018-2019 unrest, triggered by rising fuel taxes and escalating into broader opposition to President Emmanuel Macron’s administration. The Paris public prosecutor’s request for a criminal trial highlighted the documented instances of CRS officers, equipped with batons and shields, “repeatedly striking non-hostile demonstrators” who were either on the ground or attempting to exit while raising their hands in a gesture of non-aggression. The charges leveled against the officers involve aggravated intentional violence perpetrated by individuals holding public authority, carrying a potential sentence of up to seven years imprisonment and a €100,000 (£87,000) fine.
THE BORDER KING INCIDENT: A CRITICAL MOMENT
On Saturday, December 1st, 2018, nine officers from the CRS riot police division, stationed in Chalon-sur-Saône, allegedly entered a Burger King near Paris’s Arc de Triomphe, a location chosen as a refuge for non-violent protesters and journalists seeking relief from teargas deployed by the police. The Burger King, though closed to the public, had been forced open by protesters struggling for breath. The court heard that the officers received an order to evacuate the restaurant quickly. Video evidence presented in court showed that some individuals immediately raised their hands, signifying their peaceful intentions. However, officers reportedly engaged in physical assaults, kicking or using batons to strike protesters on the body and head, with some individuals lying on the ground. One protester received a staggering 27 blows from six different officers, while witnesses reported hearing cries of “We’re going to die.” This incident underscored the extreme tension and chaotic conditions of the “gilets jaunes” protests.
A DAY OF EXTREME VOLENCE: THE ARC DE TRIOMPHE
The events surrounding the Burger King incident occurred on the third Saturday of the “gilets jaunes” protests, a day characterized by exceptionally high levels of unrest. On that day, masked individuals operating on the periphery of the demonstrations scrawled anti-Macron graffiti over the Arc de Triomphe and subsequently breached the monument, causing damage to its lower floors before scaling the roof. Simultaneously, vehicles were torched and bank frontages were set ablaze, as protesters engaged in running battles with police. A total of 318 arrests were made, and 263 people were injured, including 23 police officers. Authorities considered this day to be “potentially the hardest day in maintaining order and dealing with demonstrators,” reflecting the intensity and volatility of the situation. The day’s events highlighted the significant escalation of the protests and the challenges faced by law enforcement in managing the unrest.
WITNESS TESTIMONY AND LEGAL STRATEGIES
The trial involved compelling witness testimony, notably from Manon, 35, who, along with her husband, sheltered in the Burger King and vomited due to teargas exposure. She described the officers’ actions as “hit and hit, it didn’t stop.” Legal arguments were central to the case, with lawyer Arié Alimi representing two victims, asserting that the case represented a significant moment within the “gilets jaunes” movement and illustrated the “brutalization” of policing practices. In contrast, the defense, led by Laurent-Franck Liénard, emphasized the importance of context, arguing that the officers were faced with “hundreds and hundreds of demonstrators with an extraordinary level of violence.” A key procedural element was the judge's order for the officers to remove their uniforms and insignia, requiring them to return in plain white shirts, signifying a shift towards a more neutral presentation.
WOUNDS AND STATISTICAL EVIDENCE
The trial incorporated substantial statistical evidence regarding the widespread injuries sustained during the “gilets jaunes” unrest. Official figures revealed that at least 2,500 protesters were wounded throughout the year-long protests, which persisted every Saturday. Approximately 1,800 police officers also suffered injuries. Activists reported that 24 protesters lost an eye and five lost a hand as a direct result of police weaponry. This data further underscored the scale of the violence and the significant impact on both protesters and law enforcement. Furthermore, in December 2019, a CRS officer received a two-month suspended sentence for wilful violence after he was filmed throwing a paving stone at a protester during earlier “gilets jaunes” protests, highlighting the ongoing scrutiny of police conduct during the unrest.
This article is AI-synthesized from public sources and may not reflect original reporting.