The end of the year was very complicated for some journalists on mission in the French capital.
This Thursday, in a statement, Reporters Without Borders announced that it had lodged a complaint against the Paris police prefect, Didier Lallement, for the third time in two months.
The reason?
"Intentional violence aggravated against an independent photojournalist" during the "March for freedoms" on December 5, explains the NGO.
A complaint also filed by the injured journalist who, according to RSF, "regularly collaborates with a French press agency".
"Hit by a shot from LBD within ten meters"
RSF and the journalist, who prefers to remain anonymous for fear of "police reprisals", also filed a complaint against X. The photo reporter was allegedly attacked in the Parisian procession of this demonstration against the global security law (and the very controversial article 24 ) where more than 5,000 people gathered.
According to RSF, the photo reporter was “attacked by the police during a charge”.
While she was on avenue Gambetta, and "despite her press armband clearly visible, a de-encircling grenade landed at her feet, then an LBD bullet fired from less than ten meters hit her right forearm, causing a large hematoma and paresthesia of the hand (touch disorder) ”, details, photo in support, RSF.
In this photo of RSF, we can see the hematoma present on the forearm of the photoreporter./RSF
"Already the victim of two other LBD shots in the last two years, the journalist made a report to the IGPN", adds Reporter without Borders.
According to the head of RSF's European Union and Balkans office, Pavol Szalai, quoted in the press release, “this new incident confirms the fact that Préfet Lallement must be held responsible for managing the maintenance of order which led to this aggression ”.
#France: 3rd complaint by @RSF_inter against X and the prefect of Paris Didier Lallement for aggravated willful violence against an independent journalist, injured during the # Marchedeslibertés on December 5, https://t.co/JwhjkuoUiz pic.twitter. com / opgUyOQ5AJ
- RSF in French (@RSF_fr) January 7, 2021
RSF's two previous complaints against the prefect date back to December 7, following the assault (of independent Syrian photographer) Ameer Al Halbi by the police, and November 27 after the violence suffered by three journalists during the evacuation of a migrant camp Place de la République in Paris, indicates the organization.
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Note that new demonstrations are planned for January 16 and 30 against the “Global Security” law and article 24. France occupies 34th place out of 180 countries in the 2020 world press freedom ranking established by RSF.
VIDEO. Demonstration against the Global Security Law: several incidents in Paris