Overview
- Prosecutors closed the preliminary cases tied to four seriously injured demonstrators, citing one compliant shot, potential justification by an ultraviolent context for non‑compliant shots, or the inability to identify the shooters.
- The non‑assistance allegations were also dropped, with the prosecutor stating the facts did not establish an offense.
- A formal judicial investigation has been opened specifically into non‑compliant direct grenade firings, with the question of self‑defense central to any potential criminal qualification.
- The plaintiffs’ lawyer called the decision disappointing and said complaints with civil party status will be filed to trigger a full judicial instruction on their cases.
- IGGN reviews of more than 2,000 videos and 5,300 images failed to identify some alleged shooters, as scrutiny intensified after bodycam footage published in November by Libération and Mediapart highlighted police conduct at the banned 2023 protest.