Saturday, November 21, Michel Zecler, 41-year-old music producer, found himself at the heart of a dark affair.
As he leaves his music studio in the 17th arrondissement of Paris, without a mask, he sees a police car.
He then decides, according to his testimony, to return to his premises.
Three policemen enter behind him and question him in the entrance.
The result, very violent, "shocking" even according to the President of the Republic Emmanuel Macron and his Minister of the Interior Gérald Darmanin (who will be heard on Monday by a parliamentary commission of inquiry), was filmed by the video surveillance camera placed at the entrance of said studio.
At first, Michel Zecler was placed in police custody as part of an investigation opened by the Paris prosecutor's office for “
violence against a person holding public authority
” and “
rebellion
”.
But the Paris prosecutor's office closed this investigation and opened a new procedure on Tuesday for "
violence by persons holding public authority
" and "
forgery in public writing
", entrusted to the General Inspectorate of the National Police (IGPN), the font font.
The police officers involved were suspended from their duties Thursday and are expected at the premises of the IGPN, responsible for this investigation opened since Tuesday for "
violence
" and "
forgery in public writing
".
To read also: Producer beaten by police officers: Emmanuel Macron says he is "shocked" by the violence of the video
Known and appreciated in the world of urban music, Michel Zecler founded with Valérie Atlan the music and music production company “Black Gold Studios”, fifteen years ago.
This independent label is also one of the oldest in hip-hop in France.
He notably produced "The Golden Age of French Rap", a show then a tour of the zeniths in 2016 which brought together the main artists of the genre from the 1990s to 2000s such as Oxmo Puccino, Assassin, Passi, Kery James or even Stomy Bugsy.
Today, he mainly produces young rappers.
“I come from Bagneux. Today I have studios in the 17th arrondissement of Paris. I had a fairly chaotic youth, I went through prison, but I got out of that fifteen years ago and since then I have done everything to be the man I am today
”, confided this Thursday Michel Zecler on the set of
“
Touche pas à mon poste”.
“
I help people, I'm proud to produce all these artists.
Together, we made
The Golden Age of
French
Rap
and
Secteur Ä
.
It's a victory for me ”
, he then underlined in this same program of Cyril Hanouna.
I personally know the man who suffered this assault.
A courteous man, calm and fortunately for him experienced because he would perhaps no longer be of this world today.
Kery James on Michel Zecler.
Many personalities have reacted to this affair, including politicians, athletes, but also, of course, singers and rappers.
Aya Nakamura welcomed the presence of the cameras, wishing
“courage to Michel”
.
Benjamin Biolay for his part disseminated the images of the scene on Instagram with this comment:
"Unbearable shocking, unfair, crazy."
“The one to whom this tragedy is happening is my friend, I consider him a brother! (...) I know this man, he is upright and just! When to those who will recognize themselves in this video ... I am ashamed for you, ”
said Sofiane Zermani, alias Fianso, on Instagram, sharing the video.
"Force to you Michel, you remained standing in the face of the violence of racism, cowards do not hurt,"
Rohff wrote in one of his "stories" on Instagram.
Kery James has meanwhile published a long message to accompany the photo of the swollen face of the producer, in which he calls into question the law "global security":
"It is so that some police officers can do what he is so important that they are not filmed in
“the exercise of their function”
?
I personally know the man who suffered this assault.
A courteous man, calm and fortunately for him experienced because he would perhaps no longer be in this world today ”
.
“I have known Michel for more than 15 years, he was the producer with Valérie (Atlan, Editor's note) of
the Golden Age of French rap
and of the Sector Ä tour.
He is calm, thoughtful and studious with a lot of humor.
In the 17th arrondissement, where his studio is located, all the traders and neighbors know him, respect him and appreciate him.
Assaulted in his home by the police because he is black.
You have to call a spade a spade, ”
protests Stomy Bugsy.
"
I have been told 'dirty nigger' several times and punching me,
" Michel Zecler denounced Thursday, coming to lodge a complaint, with his lawyer, at the Paris headquarters of the IGPN.
"
I would just like the work (of the IGPN, editor's note) to be done,
" he said at the end of his testimony.
Before assuring: “
I have no doubts about it.
"