Silent march under tension in Margny-lès-Compiègne for Paul Tancre, who died after a police chase
More than 300 people paid tribute to Paul Tancre, who died on 21 August after refusing to stop for police. Three arrests were made during clashes with law enforcement.
Clashes during tribute to "Lapin", who died after refusing to stop for police in Oise
According to lefigaro.fr, more than 300 people marched on Sunday in Margny-lès-Compiègne (Oise) in memory of Paul Tancre, known as "Lapin", who died on 21 August during a police chase with the municipal police. Three people were arrested for "violence against a law enforcement officer", the Oise prefecture specified.
The incident occurred on the evening of 21 August. Paul Tancre, a 46-year-old father of a family, refused to stop for a check by a municipal police patrol, accelerating sharply before losing control of his vehicle and dying in the crash. According to Le Parisien, he was driving without a licence and under the influence of alcohol.
Tensions from the outset of speeches
In early afternoon, the tribute got off to a turbulent start. The deceased's relatives stated during a speech that Paul Tancre had been "killed" by the municipal police, whom they described as "cowboys". According to them, he died after a collision between his vehicle and that of the police, who then drove over him once he had been ejected from the cab. Clashes with law enforcement took place on site, as observed by an AFP journalist.
The silent march, which started an hour and a half late, proceeded under tension. "Justice for Lapin", "shame on the police", "no justice, no peace": the procession chanted these slogans before continuing to the cemetery more calmly, with singing and laying of flowers.
Violence at the funeral, convictions already handed down
In the days following the tragedy, anger rose within the local Traveller community, from which Paul Tancre came. In late August, several people damaged street furniture, set vehicles on fire and damaged shops on the fringes of his funeral, according to the Compiègne prosecutor's office.
Two suspected rioters were arrested on Wednesday. The first appeared as early as the following Thursday under a procedure of prior guilty plea and was sentenced to nine months in prison, to be served with electronic monitoring. The second, who contests the charges against him, will be tried on 9 November, the Compiègne prosecutor's office specified.
Municipal officer charged with causing death by dangerous driving
The municipal police officer who was driving the service vehicle was charged with causing death by dangerous driving and placed under judicial supervision. An investigation was also opened after threats and personal information targeting him were circulated on social media.
"We want the truth and we want the officer to be imprisoned", Séverine Tancre, sister of the deceased, told AFP on Sunday. "We will not accept this case being buried (...) and ultimately being told that everything was normal", added Alexis Baudelin, a lawyer representing relatives of Paul Tancre.
Source: Google News LU FR