French Officer to Stand Trial for Murder in Killing of Teen Nahel in Nanterre
Prosecutors confirm 2023 police shooting that sparked nationwide riots will be tried as intentional homicide.
Watan-The French judiciary announced on Tuesday that the police officer who fatally shot 17-year-old Nahel in Nanterre on June 27, 2023, will stand trial for intentional homicide.
In a statement, the public prosecutor said:“An investigating judge from the Nanterre Court today issued an indictment ordering the referral of the police officer to the Criminal Court on charges of intentional homicide.”
The trial is expected to take place in either the second or third quarter of 2026.
This decision follows requests from the public prosecutor’s office made in early March. Nahel was killed by a close-range gunshot during a vehicle stop conducted by police.
His death sparked six nights of violent unrest across France, with riots erupting in several cities, where public buildings and businesses were targeted and set ablaze.
A video clip widely circulated on social media contradicted the initial police claim that Nahel had run over a motorcycle officer with his vehicle. Instead, it showed that the officer fired while Nahel was at a standstill.
Reactions from Legal Teams
Laurent-Franck Liénard, attorney for the officer involved, Florian M., told AFP that the decision was “disappointing but not surprising,” and that the judge should have shown the courage to rule differently from the prosecution. He confirmed that the decision will be appealed.
Florian M. was detained for five months during the investigation before being released under judicial supervision.
“We maintain that the use of the firearm was lawful,” Liénard insisted.
On the other hand, Frank Berton, the lawyer representing Nahel’s mother, stated:
“This is simply the law being applied,” adding that he was satisfied with the decision.
“What remains now is to convince the Criminal Court,” he concluded.
