One week before the first round, the control in which a driver sustained serious injuries and a passenger was killed by police fire in Paris, turned into a political dispute between Jean-Luc Melenchon and his opponents, as well as the police unions.
After the control in the capital's 18th arrondissement, the leader of the Insoumis was quick to speak out.
Jean-Luc Melenchon, in two tweets posted Saturday and Sunday, denounced "a police force (which) kills", convicted of applying the "death penalty for refusing to comply" as well as "an unacceptable use of power". "The prefect approves?" The minister congratulates Shame on you, when? He also attacked the Alliance union that defended civil servants, which he called a "factious group".
"The police and the gendarmes are worthy of respect. They do brave, difficult work and risk every moment of their lives," Gerald Darmanin, Interior Minister, replied that "Insulting these people dishonors those wanting to govern." Let them not be held hostage in an election campaign.
Marine Le Pen for her part denounced Jean-Luc Melenchon's words "of incredible gravity".
Alliance filed a complaint "tomorrow", (Tuesday), and the Synergy union said that the leader of Insoumis "tapping a bit more with the caidat", while he "knows absolutely nothing about the case".
According to Paris' prosecution, the investigation began on Sunday at the General Inspectorate for the National Police (IGPN). The custody of the two men & the woman who allegedly fired at vehicle was extended Monday.
These officers were cited for "violence causing a total disruption of work of more 8 days using a weapon by a public official" and "violence causing death by a public officer without the intention of giving it"
According to the prosecution, police custody was taken "due to the seriousness and the consequences of the shootings conducted" and to verify the conditions of weapons use by the individuals concerned. According to a source familiar, the front passenger was born in 2001 and was shot in the head on Sunday.
Laurent-Franck Lienard, a police lawyer, stated to AFP that officers continue to analyze the elements and determine the sequence of these shocking facts. "Police custody is a difficult measure for my clients. However, they are willing to accept it and will cooperate fully with the investigations.
According to the prosecution, the driver who was suspected of refusing to comply with orders was briefly taken into police custody for "attempted murder of a person in public office". The 38-year old man was seriously injured by a bullet to the chest and his custody at the hospital was ended shortly after the incident. He could not be heard at this stage.
According to a source, the facts were discovered on Saturday afternoon when mountain bike officials wanted to inspect "a car with four people, one of whom wasn't wearing his seatbelt," according to a police source.
The car fled as they approached. The driver fled as officers tried to control him again. He then "ran into" officers, who according to police used their weapons to hit the driver and female passenger. Two of the rear passengers were not struck. RTL was informed Monday by one of the passengers that the driver, who didn't have a license, had "advanced" and "didn't stop" when a policeman ordered him to. Shots were fired after the vehicle was stuck in a traffic jam. The man stated that his friend had put the first gear back on the car and had it start again after hearing the gunshots.
A month and half ago, a Paris police officer was charged with "voluntary murder". He is accused of killing the Pont-Neuf in Paris on April 24, 25, and 25 with an automatic weapon.
