Demonstration turns violent in Paris

A group of friends was violently attacked by police in the Saint-Lazare district of Paris on October 17, suffering severe injuries including triple facial fractures, broken arms, a 10-centimeter head wound, and brain concussions.

Medical records reveal extent of injuries

According to medical certificates obtained by StreetPress, Ali, a 27-year-old artificial intelligence engineer, suffered a triple facial fracture, resulting in seven days of sick leave. His friends also sustained injuries, including broken arms, head wounds, and concussions.

Ali describes targeted attack

Ali described the incident as targeted, stating, "They just wanted to break faces." Investigations by StreetPress and Mediapart report similar cases in the same neighborhood that evening, including that of a 23-year-old medical student who filed a complaint. Ali filed a complaint on October 20 at the Pontoise court, and his friends are considering doing so "for the statistics," according to Mohamed.

Group participated in anti-cost-of-living protest

The group, composed of young people aged 24 to 30, participated in the demonstration in support of the movement's demands against the high cost of living and the lack of resources in education. The afternoon had gone smoothly, with pleasant moments and a friendly atmosphere at the end of the demonstration on Clichy square.

Group stopped for drinks before heading home

The group stopped at a bar for drinks before heading towards Saint-Lazare to take the metro or the RER and go home. In the station area, the atmosphere was confused, with a large fire visible in the distance towards the Arc de Triomphe and several adjacent streets blocked by police or littered with bikes, flower pots, and barriers, some of which were on fire.

Violence erupts in Rue du Havre

At the level of the large Printemps department store on the Haussmann Boulevard, people suddenly came in the opposite direction, loaded by the police. The group turned back but was blocked in the other direction and entered the Rue du Havre, where the violence occurred between 9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Mohamed described being swept by a police officer, knocked down, and hit by four officers with baton blows and head crushing. He also mentioned being run over by a BRAV-M officer on a motorcycle.

Ali and Tahar face baton attacks

Another part of the group was blocked in the Rue de Provence, where Ali received kicks and baton blows before escaping. He fell on two officers with batons in hand, protecting his head with his arms. The emergency report noted the violence of the blow and Ali's need to escape. Tahar, who was also blocked against the wall, was stunned by a baton blow above his head, resulting in a brief loss of consciousness. His medical certificate confirmed a baton blow with a few seconds of unconsciousness.

Group members flee and seek medical help

The group members fled in different directions, with some escaping through the Rue de Rome. Noémie described the emotional impact of seeing her partner Tahar in that state. The group members were treated at different hospitals, with Ali receiving seven days of sick leave and Mohamed requiring 21 days of sick leave due to a fractured forearm. Tahar, Noémie, and another friend, Faiza, met at the Bichat hospital, where they found several other victims of the demonstrations.

Group expresses anger over police tactics

A week after the incident, the group expressed anger against the police methods used, emphasizing that they were not trying to block or loot but were simply trying to go home. They felt trapped with no explanation, words, or exit door. Despite the trauma, the group supported each other and most plan to return to demonstrations. The Paris police prefecture and the Interior Ministry did not respond to requests for comment, and the IGPN referred inquiries to the Interior Ministry.