Four police officers in French Polynesia have been suspended following a violent incident involving a disabled individual, which was captured on video and circulated on social media. The High Commissioner of the Republic in French Polynesia announced the immediate administrative suspension of the officers, pending an internal investigation by the Territorial Directorate of the National Police. The incident occurred in the Estall district of Papeete, a disadvantaged area, and has sparked widespread outrage.
The 49-second video shows the officers surrounding a man in a wheelchair. One officer is seen lifting the wheelchair and forcefully pushing the man to the ground, where he is subsequently punched in the face. The prosecutor, Solène Belaouar, emphasized the need to respect the presumption of innocence while acknowledging the disturbing nature of the footage. She stated that the context leading up to the incident is unknown, but it does not excuse the violence displayed.
An investigation has been launched into the actions of the officers, focusing on intentional violence against a vulnerable person by a public authority. Both the police involved and the victim are expected to be questioned as part of the inquiry.
