legal proceedings opened against Assa Traoré

2023-07-08 18:55:00

Assa Traoré is accused of having organized an “undeclared demonstration” after calling for a peaceful march this Saturday, Place de la République.

By NB with AFP Assa Traoré, the sister of Adama Traoré, is accused of having organized an “undeclared demonstration”. © CARINE SCHMITT / Hans Lucas / Hans Lucas via AFP Published on 07/08/2023 at 6:55 p.m.

Legal proceedings for “organizing an undeclared demonstration” have been opened against Assa Traoré, present on Saturday in Paris at the banned rally in memory of her brother Adama who died in July 2016, announced the police headquarters. “The offense of organizing an undeclared demonstration being clearly characterized, legal proceedings are initiated against the organizer”, writes the police headquarters in a press release, without mentioning the name of Assa Traoré.

The sister of Adama Traoré, a figure in the fight against police violence, had indicated that she would be present “Saturday at 3 p.m. Place de la République”, after the ban on the annual march, planned for Persan and Beaumont-sur- Oise in memory of his brother who died shortly after his arrest by the gendarmes.

READ ALSOAdama Traoré case: a final twist? This announcement was quickly relayed by left-wing activists and deputies from La France insoumise, but Assa Traoré did not, however, directly call on his supporters to join her.

Up to six months in prison and a fine of 7,500 euros

The police headquarters had banned this undeclared Parisian gathering, because “presenting risks of disturbing public order”. She recalled the “tense context” and the “five consecutive nights” of urban violence after the death of Nahel M., 17, killed by a police officer during a road check on June 27 in Nanterre. The police headquarters had thus taken up the same arguments which motivated the ban decision taken on Thursday by the prefect of Val-d’Oise for the march in Persan and Beaumont-sur-Oise, confirmed the next day by the administrative justice. READ ALSO Death of Nahel: power on a crest line

The organization of a demonstration on the public highway that is undeclared or that has been prohibited is punishable by a six-month prison sentence and a fine of 7,500 euros, according to the Penal Code.

At least 2,000 people gathered in Paris peacefully during this rally. Two people were arrested, including Youssouf Traoré, one of Assa’s brothers, for violence against a person in charge of public authority committed in Place de la République, said the PP, without giving details.