Court of Cassation: Police officer could face trial for murder in Nahel case
France's highest court has quashed a reclassification to assault charges, allowing a murder trial to proceed against the officer who killed Nahel Merzouk in June 2023.
Court of Cassation: Police officer could face trial for murder in Nahel case
The Court of Cassation invalidated on 12 June the decision by the Versailles appeals court that had reclassified the facts as assault without intent to cause death. This judicial reversal now opens the possibility of a trial for voluntary homicide against police officer Florian M.
In March, the Versailles magistrates had decided to refer the officer before a criminal court for assault causing death without intent to kill, thereby excluding any murderous design. The criminal chamber of the Court of Cassation, however, ruled that this court "did not justify its decision".
The judges reviewing the appeal recall that the officer had deliberately used his 9 mm calibre pistol in the immediate vicinity of the teenager, aiming at an area deemed vital, and that he must necessarily have understood the deadly nature of his act. The case thus returns before the Versailles appeals court, which will have to rule again on the nature of the charges, subject to any further appeals.
On 27 June 2023, Nahel Merzouk, aged 17, died in Nanterre after being shot at close range during a traffic stop. His death triggered nights of urban unrest in numerous French cities.
The lawyer representing several of the victim's relatives, Margot Pugliese, welcomed the decision to Agence France-Presse: "The family is deeply moved and relieved. From the outset, we have maintained that it is the classification of murder that must prevail."
Source: franceinfo
Source: Google News LU FR