Florian Philippot, president of the Patriots and organizer of an anti-vaccination pass demonstration in Paris on Saturday, "
totally condemned
" Monday January 17 the attack on an AFP team during this rally.
“
I totally condemn the attack that took place against an AFP journalist
,” the pro-Frexit presidential candidate said on CNews.
Read alsoAFP to file a complaint after the attack on its journalists during an anti-pass demonstration
“
There was a small, obviously, temporary failure
” in security, added the former right-hand man of Marine Le Pen.
“
Today we are still blind.
Unfortunately, I did not have any videos of this attack.
I need to have the videos.
We need to know what happened
,” he continued.
"
For the rest, it's very peaceful
," said Florian Philippot.
"Obstacle to freedom of expression"
Agence France-Presse must file a complaint on Monday with the public prosecutor on behalf of the two journalists attacked for "
intentional violence in a meeting
" and "
death threats
", and on his behalf for "
obstructing freedom of expression
" . Two image reporters (JRI) from AFP, as well as two close protection officers accompanying them, were violently attacked while covering the rally.
At the call of a hooded individual with a megaphone, at least fifty people, identified as far-right by journalists, tried to attack the AFP videographer.
The protection agents intervened, allowing the two JRIs to flee.
The security guards were then beaten, in particular with truncheons, while they were protecting the videographer, overtaken by about twenty demonstrators.
Read alsoAggression of AFP journalists: Roselyne Bachelot denounces "intolerable violence"
Guards and reporters report receiving death threats before one of the security guards was hit in the head with a bottle, splitting his scalp open.
The company that employs the two agents will also file a complaint on its side.