Western Reader
France has faced severe backlash after violent and destructive riots erupted, mostly involving underage individuals from immigrant African and Middle-Eastern backgrounds.
The riots were triggered by an incident in which a decorated police officer fatally shot a 17-year-old from Algerian descent who attempted to escape after defying police orders.
Riots Surpassing USA’s 2020
The incident involving 17-year-old Nahel Merzouk took place on June 27 and was filmed and shared on social media, leading to widespread rioting, arson, looting, and assault primarily carried out by unruly teenagers of African and Arab origins.
Although the riots have somewhat subsided in recent days, the initial week witnessed shocking levels of violence, prompting headlines such as “France Has Fallen,” as reported by Gateway Pundit.
French police officer Florian M., who is now charged with “voluntary manslaughter,” remains in custody. However, his lawyer has requested his release, citing concerns for his client’s safety in French prisons.
Florian M. calmly spoke from his prison cell during his pretrial hearing, but the court rejected the motion to free him.
The lawyer argued that Florian M. would be safer in public with police protection than in detention, suggesting that his client’s life might be at risk from criminals.
The plea from the officer’s lawyer, emphasizing his client’s dedicated service as a public servant and distinguishing him from drug dealers and criminals, fell on deaf ears.
Let’s be brutally honest here; had Nahel Merzouk complied peacefully with the police and not tried to drive off, he would still be alive today. I mean, when you have a gun pointing in your face, it’s pretty obvious what will happen if you don’t do what you’re told.
#FranceRiots— Dr Shrink (@TheShrinkDr)
July 3, 2023
Police units occupied the Champs Elysees en masse last night violently crushing any attempt by people to assemble and protest the racist police murder of 17-year-old Nahel Merzouk.
We witnessed large-scale racial profiling of Black and Arab youth, mass arrests and police forces…
pic.twitter.com/1vEKQCQm22— red. (@redstreamnet)
July 2, 2023
The death of 17-year-old Nahel Merzouk exposed “deep, deep divisions in French society,” says Former UK Ambassador to France
@LordRickettsP is in Marseille and has witnessed the aftermath of days of rioting in the city
#KayBurley SK
pic.twitter.com/yBEYWYndO7— Kay Burley (@KayBurley)
July 4, 2023
15-Count Rap Sheet
Florian M. recounted in court that he directed Nahel to pull over after the teenager was driving a high-powered rental Mercedes in a lane designated for buses.
The teenager attempted to escape and had to be chased by the officer and his partner on motorcycles in a dangerous pursuit in Nanterre.
The officer stated that he only fired his weapon after Nahel initially stopped but then began racing off again, fearing that his colleague would be crushed between the Mercedes and a wall.
Two minors aged 17 and 14 who were in the car claimed Florian M. stated he would shoot Nahel in the head, an accusation the officer denied.
Nahel Merzouk had a criminal record with 15 counts, including five instances of evading arrest after being pulled over for driving without a license. The officer, Florian M., is a French military veteran who was honored with a medal for his role in a kidnapping case in 2021.
France 🇫🇷
#Nanterre
The
#Police officer suspected of having killed Nahel invokes self-defense During his custody hearing, Florian M. allegedly insisted that he had fired because
#Nahel M. allegedly tried to flee, threatening his life. His first declarations ⤵
https://t.co/CuI6AJRR8u
pic.twitter.com/q4XYQwY21e— @ripLrem (@LremRip)
June 28, 2023
You will not see this in the government-sponsored media.
The riots across France have reached unprecedented levels of vandalism, arson, and violence.
The riots are now spreading from France to Belgium and the rest of Europe.
Migrants in Belgium are beginning to burn and loot…
pic.twitter.com/8bHfNh0TRE— CeCe ✞🌴🦩🇺🇸 (@Ohio_buckeye_us)
July 2, 2023
This article appeared in
The State Today and has been published here with permission.
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