French Prosecutor Opens Judicial Inquiry Into Teenager's Mutilation in Mulhouse
A judicial investigation aims to identify the officer responsible for a teenager's permanent eye injury.
1Judicial Inquiry Opened
The Mulhouse public prosecutor announced the opening of a formal judicial inquiry into the severe injury of a 17-year-old girl. This legal step follows the incident on October 17 during a protest. The investigation aims to establish the exact conditions under which the teenager suffered a permanent loss of vision.
2Severe Permanent Injury
Maïssa, who turned 18 while undergoing surgery, suffered a fractured orbital floor and a split cornea. These injuries resulted in the total loss of vision in her left eye. The victim, who was not actively protesting, was caught in the crossfire between mortar fire and police tear gas grenades.
3Legal Qualification Shift
The investigation is now classified as violence resulting in permanent mutilation by a public authority official. Prosecutor Nicolas Heitz confirmed this shift from the initial flagrancy inquiry. This legal qualification specifically targets the actions of law enforcement officers during their mission, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing judicial process.
4Victim's Account of Events
Maïssa stated she was in the city center to meet friends rather than to demonstrate. While observing the protest from a distance, she was struck in the eye. She could not identify the shooter because she had covered her face with a t-shirt to protect herself from the tear gas.
5Weaponry and Evidence
Witnesses suggest the injury was caused by an MP7 tear gas grenade. However, the prosecutor noted that a concurrent shot from a defensive ball launcher cannot be entirely excluded. A second teenager, aged 16, was also injured during the same event, suffering a wound to her right calf from a launcher.
6Advocacy and Expectations
Lawyer Pierre Brunisso described the opening of the judicial inquiry as a certain advancement in the case. He believes the chosen legal qualification confirms that the victim was hit by police fire. The victim's mother expressed hope that the individual responsible for the shot will be identified and held accountable.
7Broader Social Context
The incident occurred during the first act of a social movement that began in mid-September. Since then, multiple protesters, including several minors, have sustained serious injuries or mutilations during police operations. These events have sparked intense public debate regarding the methods used by law enforcement during public demonstrations in France.
8Future Judicial Path
With the case now under the authority of an investigating judge, the primary objective is to determine the specific circumstances of the injury. This process will involve deeper scrutiny of police conduct on October 17. The outcome will likely influence future discussions on police accountability and the use of force.