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Trial of French policemen’s beating of Black man: ‘Since the assault, he has lost the ability to move forward’
Friends and colleagues of music producer Michel Zecler described at the trial of three French police officers how the 2020 assault in his Paris studio has affected him. Their testimony suggested the case has had lasting consequences for his work, relationships and ability to move forward.
Zecler’s business partner, Anne-Valérie Atlan, said he struggles to focus in meetings, sleeps poorly and has recurring nightmares. Radio host Fred Musa and musician Stomy Bugsy described him as still preoccupied by the assault six years later, while recalling his professional achievements and efforts to promote understanding between young people and police. The officers are also charged with falsifying their arrest report, which claimed Zecler had struck them.
In short
- Colleagues described lasting effects of the 2020 assault on Michel Zecler.
- His partner said he has nightmares and struggles to focus at work.
- Three officers face charges of violence and falsifying their arrest report.
Explained simply
Michel Zecler is a Black music producer who was assaulted by police officers in his Paris studio in 2020. The incident led to a criminal case involving three officers, who are accused both of assaulting him and of falsely claiming in their report that he had hit them.
The case concerns the use of police force and the accuracy of officers’ accounts of an arrest. Zecler’s work with musicians and his efforts to improve understanding between young people and police form part of the background to the case.