Investigation into Police Violence in Marseille
A year after the riots in Marseille, significant developments have emerged in the investigation into police violence against Hedi, a young man who suffered serious injuries. According to a medical expert report, the most severe injuries inflicted on Hedi were caused by blows he received while on the ground, not by the LBD (launcher of defense bullets) shot as initially believed. This revelation was confirmed by Hedi's lawyer, Me Jacques-Antoine Preziosi, who stated that the blows were the primary cause of Hedi's significant after-effects.
Indictments and Legal Proceedings
The events, which occurred on the night of July 1 to 2, 2023, left Hedi with part of his skull amputated. Four police officers from the Marseille Anti-Crime Brigade have been indicted in connection with this case. The officer responsible for the LBD shot was placed in pre-trial detention for 40 days before being released under judicial supervision. The case has aroused considerable public emotion and condemnation of the police officers' actions.
Medical and Legal Outcomes
Hedi spent a week in intensive care and underwent numerous operations, including the removal of a piece of his skull. He has since had his skull reconstructed but will require further surgeries. The medical report has steered the case towards a probable criminal trial, as the aggression is classified as an offense rather than a crime. Hedi's lawyer is advocating for a reconstruction to clarify the roles of each involved party, including the group commander, who has been heard as an assisted witness but not prosecuted.
During the riots that followed the death of Nahel, a 17-year-old killed by a police bullet in Nanterre on June 27, 2023, several young men, including Hedi, were injured. Marseille has seen the highest number of investigations into suspected police violence, with the prosecution opening ten investigations, five of which are undergoing in-depth judicial investigations.
- The events surrounding Hedi's injuries occurred during a period of intense riots in Marseille following the death of Nahel. Hedi, who was 21 at the time, was with a friend and did not participate in the riots. He was targeted by an LBD shot and subsequently beaten by four police officers while on the ground.
- After the incident, Hedi spent a week in intensive care and two additional weeks in the neurosurgery department. His case has highlighted issues of police violence and accountability, leading to significant public outcry and legal proceedings against the involved officers.
- The medical expert report has shifted the focus of the investigation, indicating that the blows, particularly with a baton, were the primary cause of Hedi's head trauma. This finding contradicts initial assumptions that the LBD shot was the main cause of his injuries.
