Lawyers to Sue French Interior Minister Over Protest Injuries
Legal action targets Laurent Nuñez for alleged police violence during recent national demonstrations.
1Legal Action Against Minister
Lawyers representing at least 18 individuals injured during recent social mobilizations in France have announced plans to sue Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez. The legal action will be filed with the Court of Justice of the Republic, the only body authorized to judge government members for actions committed during their official duties.
2Targeting Command Responsibility
Attorney Arié Alimi stated that the lawsuit aims to hold the minister directly accountable for the orders issued regarding the use of specific weapons. The legal team argues that these tools, described as weapons of war, should not be deployed in crowd control operations, citing their potential for causing severe, permanent mutilations.
3Scope of the Complaint
The collective complaint, expected to be filed within three weeks, includes charges such as voluntary violence leading to mutilation and complicity by instigation. Lawyers are currently working to trace the chain of command, noting that while some cases are more advanced than others, the goal is to establish systemic ministerial responsibility.
4Severe Hand Injuries Reported
Several young protesters have suffered traumatic hand amputations during recent demonstrations. In Lens, a 15-year-old boy lost his left hand and suffered partial amputation of his right hand following a grenade explosion. While authorities claim the victim handled the device, his legal counsel strongly denies these allegations, asserting he never touched it.
5Facial and Eye Trauma
The protests have resulted in numerous severe facial injuries, including the loss of sight in one eye for several individuals. A 16-year-old student in Tours lost an eye, while a 17-year-old in Mulhouse suffered a similar fate. These injuries are frequently linked to the use of defense ball launchers and tear gas grenades.
6Critical Medical Emergencies
Beyond limb and eye injuries, protesters have faced life-threatening incidents. A 25-year-old photographer in Paris was struck in the femoral artery by a grenade, requiring emergency surgery to save his life. Additionally, a 14-year-old student suffered a fractured jaw, leaving him unable to speak and requiring feeding through a straw.
7Incident in Guadeloupe
The violence has extended beyond the mainland, with a 23-year-old man in Guadeloupe currently in critical condition. He was struck by a gendarmerie vehicle near a barricade during the unrest. The local prosecutor has opened an investigation into voluntary injury by a vehicle driver, and the victim has been transferred to France.
8Police Oversight Investigations
As of October 30, the National Police Inspectorate has been seized with 105 separate investigations regarding police conduct during these protests. These include 52 cases related specifically to the student movement and 48 cases linked to violence occurring on October 17 and 18, highlighting the scale of the ongoing internal scrutiny.
9Context of Social Unrest
These legal actions follow massive national demonstrations against the rising cost of living and poor study conditions. Between 575,000 and 1.6 million people participated in the protests, reflecting deep societal frustration. The intensity of the police response has become a central point of contention between the government and civil rights advocates.
10Implications for Government Policy
This lawsuit represents a significant escalation in the battle over French policing tactics. By targeting the Interior Minister directly, the legal team seeks to challenge the legitimacy of current crowd control doctrines. The outcome of this case could force a major reevaluation of how the state manages public dissent and protest safety.