Outrage in France after police are filmed savagely beating a black music producer 'while hurling racist slurs' after they accused him of not wearing a face mask
Police officers were caught on camera savagely beating a black music producer after they accused him of not wearing a face mask.
A criminal inquiry has been launched following the 13-minute attack on the head of Black Gold Studios – who asked to be identified only by his first name Michel.
Michel said he was repeatedly called a 'dirty n*****' during his ordeal on Saturday evening.
Police originally arrested Michel for not wearing a coronavirus face mask, and he faced assault charges.
Michel spent 48 hours in police custody before doctors were able to examine.
He suffered a torn tendon and a gash on his head that needed to be secured by two staples, among other wounds.
Police officers were caught on camera savagely beating a black music producer (pictured) after they accused him of not wearing a face mask
A criminal inquiry has been launched following the 13-minute attack on the head of Black Gold Studios – who asked to be identified only by his first name Michel (pictured during his recovery)
Michel suffered a torn tendon and a gash on his head that needed to be secured by two staples, among other wounds (pictured)
Charges against him were only reversed when footage of the attack appeared. Michel believes that without the clip, he would be 'in prison'.
CCTV footage shows Michel being shoved inside the doorway area of the Black Gold studios in Paris.
A plain-clothed officer and his uniformed colleague are seen forcing Michel against a door as he struggles against them.
A third officer then appears and joins the others in trying to pin Michel back.
The victim desperately holds onto the door they came through, trying to prevent it from closing.
But one of the officers yanks it away from him - forcing it to shut and trapping Michel inside.
The three officers then crowd around Michel as he is forced to the floor. One swings his arm down and punches Michel before another appears to move aside to use his radio.
A plain-clothed officer and his uniformed colleague are seen forcing Michel against a door as he struggles against them. A third officer then appears and joins the others in trying to pin Michel back
A group of men eventually rush in to help Michel, shortly before a flash of light and a large cloud of smoke obscures CCTV footage
Michel had to have two staples in his head to secure a nasty cut following the attack in Paris
A second door swings open and Michel tries to prevent it shutting by wedging his foot in the way.
But the police officer clutching a radio slams it shut before two officers start punching him in quick succession.
The scuffle continues for a duration of 13 minutes - during which time Michel is put in a choke hold by one of the officers.
A group of men eventually rush in to help Michel, shortly before a flash of light and a large cloud of smoke obscures CCTV footage.
This is understood to have been caused by an officer setting off a flash grenade and a tear gas canister.
The attack was captured on both CCTV and by local residents recording on cameraphones.
Michel told French news outlet Loopsider: 'I didn't understand what was going on.
'People were walking by, and I was trying to call out to everyone.
'I was yelling for help. Frankly, it all went so quickly, I even wondered if they were real police officers.
'The one who grabbed me from behind was in civilian clothes, he was violent straight away. They closed the door and beat me up.'
Michel added that numerous racist insults and threats were shouted at him, including the words 'dirty n*****' being yelled repeatedly.
The scuffle (pictured) continues for a duration of 13 minutes - during which time Michel is put in a choke hold by one of the officers
The flash of light and cloud of smoke (pictured) is understood to have been caused by an officer setting off a flash grenade and a tear gas canister
The attack was captured on both CCTV and by local residents recording on cameraphones
A Paris police spokesman on Thursday said that the three officers on the film had been suspended and were 'under investigation' for a range of crimes including assault.
Gerald Darmanin, France's Interior Minister, confirmed that he had seen the film and 'asked the police chief to suspend the police officers concerned.'
Mr Darmanin has also launched an inquiry into scenes of police violence on Monday night during the clearance of a refugee camp in central Paris that he described as 'shocking'.
The attack on Michel also caused outrage among elected officials, with Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo saying on Twitter: 'Deeply shocked by this intolerable act.
'All the consequences must be drawn from these exceptionally serious facts. The rule of law is not negotiable. All my support to Michel.'
It follows a string of racist attacks carried out by French police officers.
Videos are regularly used to capture scenes of police violence which might otherwise have not been public knowledge.
Despite this, President Emmanuel Macron's government has just introduced a new security bill making it illegal to publish images of officers that might subject them to 'physical or psychological harm'.
It has prompted outrage among human rights groups who accuse authorities of censorship.
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