The decision fell. The judge of the Council of State on Wednesday validated the use of drones equipped with cameras by the police, considering in his order that "there is no serious doubt about the legality" of the decree published in April allowing their use.
The highest administrative court had been seized of an injunction from the Association for the Defense of Constitutional Freedoms (Adelico) asking it to urgently suspend this decree, under which prefects had authorized the overflight of the processions of May 1st.
Authorized use in several cases
"The judge also recalls that the respect, by each prefectural authorization, of these requirements remains subject to the control of the administrative judge, which can be seized including urgently," says the statement of the Council of State. "The Council of State will rule 'on the merits' on the legality of this decree in the coming months," he concluded.
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The decree referred to by the Adelico authorizes the use of drones equipped with cameras by police, military, gendarmes or customs officers. The text specifies that their use is allowed, among other things, for "the prevention of attacks on the security of persons and property in particularly exposed places", "the security of assemblies", "the regulation of transport flows" or "the prevention of acts of terrorism". Border surveillance "to combat irregular crossing" is also mentioned.
Gérald Darmanin welcomed this decision on his Twitter account. "Very good news for the security of our fellow citizens (...) These drones have already proven their usefulness in preventing disturbances to public order," the interior minister wrote.
Very good news for the safety of our fellow citizens: the judge of the Council of State validated Wednesday the text authorizing the use of drones equipped with cameras by the police. These drones have already proven their usefulness in preventing disturbances... https://t.co/3u7hZQq4lP
— Gérald DARMANIN (@GDarmanin) May 24, 2023