By July 3, a million euros had been raised for a French policeman who killed a teenager during a traffic stop, setting up widespread unrest and surpassing donations for the victim’s family.
The Gofundme plea started by a right blogger has received donations from almost 40,000 people.
More money has been gathered through this plea than was given to the family of killed Naheli, a 17-year-old from North Africa. 200 000 euros have been raised for them thus far.
The cops heard Naheli’s grandmother’s “heartbreak” about these donations.
“He killed my nephew. On July 2, she stated on the BFM channel, “This man ought to pay the same as everyone else. “I believe in the legal system. I have faith in fairness.
Deep political tensions in France have been made public by the murder of Nahel on June 27 during a traffic stop on the outskirts of Paris.
While many right-wing individuals have defended the security forces, those on the left believe that the police’s institutional racism contributed to the victim’s death. This difference appears to have grown deeper as a result of the ongoing widespread disturbance.
“Has been working”
Left-leaning and center-right politicians have denounced the donations to the police that far-right blogger Jean Messiha started.
The deputy of the ruling party, Eric Bothorel, stated on Twitter that “Jean Messiha is playing with fire,” calling it “improper and scandalous.”
Olivier Faure, the leader of the Socialist Party, blasted the Gofundme website for allowing “shameful” donations.
Leftist MP Mathilde Panot drew attention to how the authorities swiftly stopped a contribution to a former boxer who had struck police officers during anti-government “Yellow Vest” protests in 2019.
In France in 2023, “killing a young North African could bring you a lot of money,” she wrote.
On Twitter, Messiha, a former advisor to far-right politician Marine Le Pen, rejoiced when donations for his appeal outpaced those for Nahel’s family.
He stated when he first filed the appeal that it was on behalf of the cop who was “doing his job and paying a heavy price.”
“Not permitted by the rules”
Eric Ciotti, the leader of the right-wing Republican party, justified the donation request and claimed he too could provide.
He claimed that the officer’s family “was having trouble.”
The French media have given the 38-year-old policeman, known as Florian M., the allegation of deliberate homicide.
In a video of the event, he can be seen halting Nahel, who was operating a vehicle without a valid licence, in the Nanterre neighbourhood of western Paris.
Nahel was being shot at as he fled by the cop, who had pulled his gun.
“It seems that the action was not in accordance with the rules of engagement for the police,” said Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne.
Florian M. also faces accusations of false statements.