Four French Police Convicted After Viral Video Of Black Man's Cruel Arrest

Photo illustration (Mike Powell / Unsplash)

JAKARTA - Four French police officers have been suspended after a video of the arrest of a black music producer went viral. The Paris arrests took place in a cruel manner.

The video was first shared on social media by French news site Loopsider. In the video, police repeatedly beat a black man during the operation which took place last Saturday, November 21.

The suspension was ordered directly by the French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin. "I hope the disciplinary process can be carried out as quickly as possible," Darmanin tweeted, quoted Friday, November 27.

Darmanin added that the Inspectorate General of the National Police (IGPN) is currently investigating allegations of violations by the four police officers. The Paris prefectural police said in a statement that the IGPN was also trying to find out the exact circumstances of the arrests.

The video of the arrest drew widespread criticism. Politicians to a number of well-known sports figures have condemned what the Paris police are doing.

The ruthless arrest incident came just days after heavy criticism of French authorities forcibly evacuating migrant protest tents in a Paris square. On Tuesday, November 24, French lawmakers also approved the Global Security Act.

The law is controversial because it would prohibit anyone from recording police officers on duty. Human rights groups (HAM) and mass media organizations have criticized the law, which they say provides room for police to commit violence without public scrutiny.

But authorities say the law is necessary to protect police officers from threats and harassment. Prime Minister Jean Castex intends to refer the matter to the Constitutional Council itself. They said on Thursday, November 26 that the proposed law would be examined.