Two police officers under investigation for their involvement in the death of an elderly Algerian Muslim woman in Marseille in 2018 will be acquitted of any charges. This shocking news quickly grabbed public attention, as well as sparking shock and anger.
The victim is an 80-year-old Muslim woman named Zineb Redouane. On December 1, 2018, she was killed at her home when a tear gas grenade fired by police through the window hit her face during the “Yellow Vest” demonstration.
In 2020, the victim’s family filed a legal complaint against the former Interior Minister Christophe Castaner for “concealing evidence” and other senior officials.
Frederic Veaux, managing director of the national police force, firmly stated that the two riot police would not face a disciplinary hearing and would be acquitted of any charges.
The decision is in line with initial recommendations following an administrative investigation by the Inspection Generale de la Police Nationale (IGPN), France’s official police watchdog, which also cleared the police of any wrongdoing.
However, a counter-investigation carried out in December last year argued that the presence of several buildings right in front of the firing squad should have constituted a red alert.
According to the report, the Cougar-type launcher used in the incident ranged approximately 100 meters, and the projectile hit Redouane after 37 meters while it was still ascending. It quickly crushed the right side of her face and collapsed her body instantly. He also inhaled large amounts of tear gas.
Since the “Yellow Vest” demonstrations began in December 2018, several protesters have been seriously injured in violent clashes with police. The excessive use of force by a minority of police has prompted an independent investigation.
A journalist named David Dufresne reports that at least 550 people have been injured during the Yellow Vest protests since November 2018. Dufresne also tracks all incidents of use of force by police officers and reports his findings to the minister of interior.
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