In Vesoul (Haute-Saône), a BAC agent donned a djellaba on February 6 during an anti-narcotics operation, sparking indignation in the district concerned, according to
L'Est Républicain
.
The controversy continued to swell, the police recalling Tuesday March 23 that "
the uniforms and methods of procedure adopted are dictated by the circumstances
".
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The police sought that evening to carry out checks in this district of Montmarin, linked to drug trafficking.
A video, shot from a tower, shows officers inspecting the recesses and lobby of a building.
One of them is dressed in a white djellaba under his jacket.
Finally, no arrest will be made during the intervention of the police, which then collected several mortar shots "
because we disturbed drug trafficking, not because of the djellaba
", specifies Christophe Ortiger, departmental delegate of the SGP Police Unit union quoted by
L'Est Républicain,
and which was present that evening.
"Go unnoticed"
However, the few seconds of images were broadcast on Snapchat, spreading quickly in the neighborhood community, and have since annoyed some residents, according to the daily.
Commissioner Jonathan Biwand, departmental director of public security in Haute-Saône, returned to the subject: “
The anti-crime squad has set up a monitoring system with a view to arrests in the context of drug trafficking.
One of the policemen had the idea of putting on a djellaba to go unnoticed, to get as close as possible to the target and give his colleagues posted around the start for the arrest
”he detailed.
Christophe Ortiger adds that the idea turned out to be good “
since at one point,
[he]
passed through a group without being noticed
”.
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The person, who was once based in Paris, said that this practice was "
customary
" in the capital.
He himself is of Muslim faith.
"
It cannot be accused of racism
" adds Jonathan Biwand, who emphasizes that "
the uniforms and procedural methods adopted are dictated by the circumstances
".