Family Files Complaint After Man Dies in Paris Police Station
Paris, January 17 – The family of El Hacen Diarra has filed a complaint for ‘violence leading to death’ after he died in a police station in the 20th arrondissement of Paris on Wednesday night, according to Yassine Bouzrou, the family’s lawyer. The incident occurred after Diarra was apprehended by officers from the Territorial Contact Brigades (BTC) who observed him rolling a cannabis joint, the Paris public prosecutor’s office told franceinfo.
Rebellion and Use of Taser During Arrest
According to a police source, Diarra resisted when officers attempted to frisk him. Police then used a taser on his calf to subdue him. The public prosecutor’s office stated that El Hacen Diarra fell to the ground during his arrest and later fell a second time within the police station. He was reportedly seated, awaiting transportation to a hospital for an arcade injury, when he lost consciousness and died despite the intervention of emergency services. An investigation into the causes of death has been assigned to the General Inspectorate of the National Police (IGPN).
Video Evidence and Witness Accounts Allege Violence
Yassine Bouzrou, the family’s lawyer, claims that ‘a video shows violence committed against [El Hacen Diarra] during his arrest.’ He further asserts that witnesses ‘saw a pool of blood at the scene of the arrest, attesting to the extreme violence’ suffered by the deceased. Bouzrou is demanding ‘the immediate opening of a judicial investigation, entrusted to an independent investigating judge,’ as well as ‘total transparency regarding the conditions of the arrest, custody, and the care provided.’
Autopsy Underway, False Documents Found
The victim’s body has been transported to the forensic institute for an autopsy. The Paris public prosecutor’s office indicated that the victim was in possession of false administrative documents and a brownish substance resembling cannabis at the time of his arrest, but tested negative for alcohol. A call for a gathering in tribute to El Hacen Diarra has been issued by several associations for Sunday at 2 PM, in front of the Les Mûriers foyer where he was housed.
Wider Context of Police Incidents in France
This incident comes amid ongoing scrutiny of police conduct in France. Recent months have seen several high-profile cases involving allegations of excessive force during arrests, leading to increased public debate and calls for greater accountability within law enforcement agencies. The outcome of the IGPN investigation and any subsequent judicial proceedings will be closely watched by human rights organizations and the public.
Such events often ignite discussions about police training, de-escalation techniques, and the use of non-lethal weapons. The family’s demand for an independent judicial investigation highlights concerns about the impartiality of internal police inquiries in cases involving fatalities during or after arrests. The call for transparency also reflects a broader societal expectation for clear and comprehensive information regarding interactions between citizens and law enforcement.
The planned gathering in tribute to El Hacen Diarra underscores the community’s desire for justice and remembrance. These public demonstrations often serve as a platform for expressing collective grief and demanding systemic changes to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The incident is likely to be a significant topic in local and national media, potentially influencing public opinion and policy discussions related to policing in France.
The presence of false administrative documents and suspected cannabis, while noted by the public prosecutor’s office, does not diminish the gravity of a death occurring while in police custody. The focus of the investigation will be on the sequence of events and the actions taken by police officers and emergency services from the moment of arrest until Diarra’s death.
The case is now in the hands of the IGPN, which is tasked with investigating alleged misconduct by police officers. Their findings will be crucial in determining the official cause of death and whether any procedures were violated. The family’s legal team will undoubtedly monitor the investigation closely, ensuring that all aspects of the incident are thoroughly examined and that due process is followed.
Source: franceinfo.fr
