Paul Vannier, the deputy for Val-d'Oise from the LFI party, announced on Monday that he had filed a report with the Pontoise prosecutor's office following testimonies from high school students describing incidents of police violence during demonstrations in his constituency. These demonstrations, part of a broader student movement, have seen significant police presence and, last week, a teenager was seriously injured in the eye after being shot with a LBD—a type of less-lethal weapon used by law enforcement. Vannier described the movement as "powerful and clear in its demands," while criticizing what he called "important police repression against children."
During a press conference, Vannier shared details about the case of a high school student in Argenteuil, identified only as N., who was shot in the eye by a LBD at what he claimed was an extremely short distance. A photo shown to journalists depicted the teenager's swollen and bloodied face, with Vannier noting that the student was still hospitalized and that doctors had not yet determined if he would lose the use of his eye. The incident occurred on the Argenteuil plateau, near two high schools, and the Pontoise prosecutor's office has opened an investigation, assigning it to the IGPN—the police oversight body.
The deputy emphasized that the students' demands, including better school infrastructure, extended hours, and concerns about the stress caused by the Parcoursup college application system, were "perfectly legitimate." He urged the government to "stop this escalation of police repression against a completely calm and demanding student movement." The discrepancy in reported distances—20 meters by the prosecutor and between 5 and 10 meters by the family—has raised questions about the circumstances of the shooting and the potential use of force by police.
As the movement prepares for a third major act, with unions expected to join the students, the situation remains tense. Vannier's actions highlight growing concerns over police conduct and the treatment of student protesters, as the investigation continues and public attention remains focused on the events in Argenteuil.
Deputy Files Report Over Alleged Police Violence Against Students in France
AI-rewritten from original reportingHow it works
franceigpnlbd



