The high-profile investigation into the death of Adama Traoré, a 24-year-old Black Frenchman who died in police custody in 2016, has officially concluded without any charges being filed against the three officers involved, according to lawyers representing both parties.
Despite the lack of charges, Mr. Adama’s death continues to serve as a rallying cry for those protesting against discriminatory police violence in France. This is especially relevant as the country grapples with the aftermath of a week of rioting in June, sparked by the deadly police shooting of Nahel Merzouk, a French teenager of North African descent.
Yassine Bouzrou, a lawyer representing Mr. Adama’s family, has announced their intention to appeal the decision to close the case without charges. Bouzrou accused the investigating magistrates of bias in favor of the officers, arguing that crucial uncertainties should have been debated in a public trial.
“This order to dismiss the case, which contains contradictions, inconsistencies, and serious violations of the law, is a disgrace to the judiciary,” stated Bouzrou.
While the shooting of Mr. Merzouk was captured on video, creating immediate outrage and leading to serious charges against the officer involved, the circumstances surrounding Mr. Traoré’s death remain highly disputed.
Mr. Traoré died in the courtyard of a police station on a sweltering summer day in July 2016 following his arrest by gendarmes in Beaumont-sur-Oise, a town north of Paris. The gendarmes attempted to check Mr. Traoré’s identification as part of an investigation into his brother when he fled and sought refuge in a nearby apartment.
Three police officers successfully tracked down Mr. Traoré and subdued him by pinning him to the ground. However, during the transfer to the police station in Persan, a nearby town, Mr. Traoré stated he couldn’t breathe and subsequently lost consciousness. He was pronounced dead two hours later.
Conflicting autopsies and expert reports have suggested heart failure or asphyxiation as the cause of Mr. Traoré’s death. His family firmly asserts that he would still be alive if the officers hadn’t pinned him down and provided better assistance when he lost consciousness.
On the other hand, lawyers for the officers argue that their actions were professional and proportionate in response to Mr. Traoré resisting arrest. They maintain that the lack of charges is justified.
“There was never any violence committed during the legitimate arrest of Adama Traoré,” stated Rodolphe Bosselut, one of the lawyers for the officers involved.
Despite the lack of clarity regarding Mr. Traoré’s death, his case and his family’s activism have made him a symbol of deep-rooted anger and distrust towards the police in France’s marginalized urban areas.
This anger erupted in days of chaotic rioting, arson, and looting following Mr. Merzouk’s death earlier this year. The French government promptly deployed a significant number of police officers throughout the country to quell the violence. While this show of force effectively brought an end to the riots within a week, it also resulted in new allegations of police brutality.
One noteworthy case involves four police officers in Marseille who have been charged with assault for seriously injuring a 22-year-old man, necessitating the removal of part of his skull. One of the officers, suspected of firing a rubber bullet at the man, was detained, prompting outrage from police unions nationwide and leading some officers to stage walkouts. Ultimately, the officer in question was released but prohibited from working for the police while the investigation is ongoing.
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