The Minister of Justice Eric Dupond-Moretti ordered an inspection after the death of an inmate of Meaux-Chauconin prison (Seine-et-Marne) who had been transferred to the hospital in cardiovascular arrest, said the Chancellery. .
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"Informed of the situation, the Minister of Justice immediately asked to shed light on this case by initiating an inspection," the Ministry of Justice told AFP.
This death is also the subject of an investigation "in search of the causes of death", entrusted by the prosecution of Meaux to the judicial police of Versailles.
According to the first elements of the investigation delivered by the prosecutor, on January 25, the detainee "refused to return to his cell from the promenade yard, and adopted a very agitated and aggressive behavior in turn".
"He would have violently opposed his handcuffing, in particular by biting one of the prison guards in the blood," the statement continued.
During his transfer to the disciplinary unit, "the supervisors noting that he had suddenly become calm, called the medical unit".
The young man was then transferred to the hospital by the Samu while he was in cardiovascular arrest.
The autopsy carried out Wednesday concluded that "the existence of cerebral edema due to prolonged cardiac arrest", according to the Meaux prosecutor's office, assuring that the "bruises and contusions" found on his body had "not been d 'affect the fatal process'.
Further reviews are expected.
Asked Wednesday by AFP, a supervisor of the Meaux remand center said that the detainee "vulnerable, was severely beaten" in particular "in the head" by "officers while he was handcuffed and controlled in ground".
The agents for the most part "trainees or inexperienced intervened under the supervision of several hierarchical superiors including the head of detention", assured the penitentiary supervisor who requested anonymity.
The deceased detainee had been imprisoned since January 6, awaiting trial for "acts of habitual violence by a spouse" and rebellion.