French Policeman to Face Trial for Teenager’s Killing

A French police officer who shot and killed a 17-year-old driver, Nahel M., during a traffic control in June 2023 will stand trial on murder charges. The incident, which sparked widespread protests and riots, was captured on mobile footage showing the officer shooting Nahel at point-blank range inside a stationary car. The trial is expected to take place in the second or third quarter of 2026.

The officer, Florian M., was released from custody in November 2023 after five months in detention. His lawyer, Laurent-Franck Lienard, expressed disappointment and plans to appeal the trial order, stating, “This order for a trial is both disappointing and not surprising. The investigating judge would have had to be courageous to take a different position than that of the prosecution.” Lienard maintained that the shooting was legitimate.

In contrast, Nahel’s mother’s lawyer, Frank Berton, welcomed the decision, saying, “We are just seeing the law being applied… Now all that remains is to convince the court.” The case has reignited debates on racism and security in France, particularly given Nahel’s North African origin.

The incident has also drawn attention to Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau’s stance on immigration and racism. While Retailleau has faced criticism for not doing enough to address racist crimes, he emphasized that “every racist act is an anti-French act”. This development comes amid a surge in violent incidents targeting specific groups in France.

In a separate but related context, French authorities have recently charged 25 individuals, including six minors, in connection with a series of attempted kidnappings targeting cryptocurrency industry figures. The suspects, aged between 16 and 23, were involved in a botched abduction attempt on the daughter and grandson of Pierre Noizat, CEO of crypto exchange Paymium.

The case has reignited debates on police accountability and racial tensions in France, particularly regarding allegations of systemic bias against minority communities. Nahel’s family and supporters argue that the officer’s actions were not justified and reflect a broader pattern of discriminatory policing. The trial is expected to draw significant attention and potentially influence ongoing discussions about police reform and community relations in France.