French riot officers go on trial accused of beating gilets jaunes protesters

Nine officers from the CRS riot police have gone on trial in Paris accused of beating peaceful protesters who were sheltering from teargas during the gilets jaunes demonstrations in 2018. The case is one of the largest to examine alleged police violence during the 2018–19 unrest, which began over rising fuel taxes and broadened into wider anti-government protests targeting President Emmanuel Macron.

Prosecutors say some officers, armed with batons and shields, repeatedly struck non-hostile demonstrators who were on the ground or emerging with their hands up. The nine are charged with aggravated intentional violence by persons holding public authority and face up to seven years in prison and a €100,000 fine if convicted.

Video shown in court allegedly depicts officers entering a Burger King near the Arc de Triomphe on 1 December 2018, where people sheltering from teargas — including non-violent protesters and journalists — were kicked or beaten; one person is said to have received 27 blows from six different officers.

France, Paris

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