All claim their innocence.
Yes, they were indeed near the college of the Pléiade de Sevran (Seine-Saint-Denis) on the night of July 14 to 15, 2017 while six police officers from the CSI93 (Security and Intervention Company) were under attack from several dozen young people, but no they did not participate.
This is the reason why these five boys, now aged 21 to 26, appealed against the 6-year prison sentences handed down against them last October by the Bobigny correctional court (Seine-Saint-Denis).
Since Wednesday, the Paris Court of Appeal has been studying this “chilling affair” again according to Advocate General Anne-Françoise Tissier.
Heard, they said that they had not struck any blows.
That they had just watched, even if it was itching… One of the defendants explained: “I wanted to type”.
Another speaks of “little drive”.
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What do they blame the agents for?
It is not clearly established but several avenues were studied during the investigation.
In particular, the protection of the territory so that trafficking flourishes or even a revenge against those they call "the Aulnay team".
They accuse them of hitting on them, hitting them in the halls and taking their money.
Last July, this service was besides splashed by a scandal with four agents indicted for "forgery and use of forgery in public writing", "arbitrary attack on individual liberty", "willful violence by persons holding the law. 'public authority resulting in a 10-day ITT', 'theft', 'transport and possession of narcotics'.
That night in July 2017, the police officers who had been called for a trash can fire arrived in column on motorcycles.
They had received stones and blows with an iron bar.
One of them who fell had been lynched before extracting himself by shooting in the air, "in all directions", he explained Wednesday when he was heard.
One of the youngsters, Axel, had been hit in the chest, the bullet passing a few inches from the heart.
He was closest to the action.
"Kill Em"
The representative of the prosecution addressed the five defendants: "You were there then, yes, you did".
It is based on the videos taken at the time of this ambush and the encouragement we can hear: "Fuck them, kill them".
It is Harouna, one of the defendants, who is said to be the author of these images.
“Rarely in a case has we seen such a desire to kill, continues Anne-Françoise Tissier.
The words (Editor's note: on the video) should have scared them away.
They should have thought they were participating in a horrible act ”.
In the box, everyone is looking at their shoes.
Me Emmanuel Trink, Harouna's lawyer disputes his role and denounces the lack of in-depth investigations with Snapchat to find out if it is indeed his client's phone that was used to film.
"These are relatively common facts in poor neighborhoods where young people lean on the walls to hold them," continues the council.
But this 6-year sentence is extremely strong.
The Bobigny court gives examples.
It takes 6 years to everyone without personalizing the sentence.
Most of the defendants were not known to the courts.
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The investigation showed that this ambush had been prepared since the afternoon of July 14.
Many text messages were exchanged between young people.
It is these elements and the images disseminated on social networks that made it possible to arrest seven suspects.
Two of them were released at first instance.
"They were attacked because of their uniform"
Nassrine was recognized by one of the police.
According to his description, the youngster was wearing glasses that night.
“I haven't worn one since 2013,” he replies.
He now has contact lenses.
The Advocate General lets the court assess.
For the others, she asks for sentences ranging from 8 years, for Axel, to 6 years, ie the same requisitions as at first instance.
“These police officers are marked in their personal life while it is only a profession, notes Me Sandra Morin, lawyer of the State.
They were attacked because of their uniform ”.
The case was taken under advisement.