Investigation launched after video

An investigation has been opened in Strasbourg after a video surfaced showing police officers striking protesters. The prosecutor's office in Strasbourg announced on Monday, October 26, that it had launched an inquiry into "violence by a person in a position of public authority" following a video dated Saturday.

Inquiry assigned to ethics unit

At this stage, the investigation is "assigned to the ethics unit" within the Direction interdépartementale de la police nationale (DIPN) of the Bas-Rhin, the prosecutor's office specified. One of the young people, who identified himself as a first aider, has filed a complaint, it added.

DIPN aims to shed light on video

The DIPN stated that the investigation must "shed light on the facts appearing in this video." This video, posted by a photo-journalist based in Strasbourg, mainly on his Instagram and Facebook accounts, shows two protesters dressed in black and masked, one of whom is limping and being helped by the other.

Protesters struck by police

Two people equipped like "street medics," these activists who act as first aiders during demonstrations, run to help them. Then several police officers arrive running behind them, push them to the ground, and strike them with batons. The two protesters are dragged along the road and taken away by law enforcement. One of the first aiders is seen being released and quickly leaving the area.

Calm demonstration compared to previous

The demonstration on October 24 in the Alsatian capital took place much more peacefully than that of October 17, although some clashes occurred between law enforcement and groups of young people in the late afternoon. In total, thirty people were arrested, mainly for throwing projectiles. Two protesters were slightly injured, and 13 police officers, according to the report published on Sunday by the prefecture of the Bas-Rhin.