Metz: IGPN investigation launched following police arrest video
The Metz prosecutor's office has opened an investigation following the viral spread of a video showing a police officer touching a minor girl under the age of 15 during an arrest. The IGPN is examining whether there has been sexual assault.
Investigation opened for suspected sexual assault
An investigation was opened following the spread of a video showing a police officer touching the hair and chest of a teenage girl held on the ground in Metz, according to Actu17. The incident occurred on Monday, 5 October, during the arrest of the girl, aged under 15, in connection with the secondary school mobilisation. The Metz prosecutor's office has referred the matter to the General Inspectorate of the National Police (IGPN) to examine the conditions of the arrest and determine whether sexual assault offences against a minor were committed.
The video goes viral
The sequence lasts 12 seconds and has been viewed several million times on social network X. It shows the teenager lying on a pavement, restrained by the officer, who appears to run his hand over her hair and then her chest. The images were notably shared by La France insoumise member of parliament Sophia Chikirou, prompting considerable questions on social networks and in the political establishment.
Prosecutor's confirmation
David Touvet, prosecutor of the Republic in Metz, confirmed the opening of the investigation on Tuesday morning. "I opened this morning an investigation and referred it to the IGPN, with the support of the anti-cybercrime office (OFAC) attached to the DCOS of Moselle for the technical part of investigations intended to authenticate and analyse the video," he stated. The investigation covers the conditions of the arrest and must establish whether or not acts constituting sexual assault against a minor occurred.
Examinations underway
The prosecutor called for caution and explained that he must "rule out all hypotheses". The playback speed of the images will be examined, as will the voluntary or involuntary nature of the officer's gestures. The police officer identified in the images must be heard as part of the investigations, as must the teenager.
Situation of the girl
The girl was placed in police custody for participation in a gathering formed for the purpose of committing acts of violence, according to the prosecutor's office. She was to be brought before the courts on Tuesday afternoon. According to available information, she has not yet filed a complaint and has not reported inappropriate gestures by the police officer.
Context of the secondary school movement
This case adds to a series of proceedings targeting police officers since the start of the secondary school movement. The Minister of the Interior, Laurent Nuñez, stated that the police inspectorate had already been called in on ten occasions.
Source: Actu17