Who was Nahel? 17-year-old teenager, whose death triggered violent protests in France

New Delhi: France has been engulfed in a wave of protests following the tragic killing of a 17-year-old teenager, Nahel, during a routine traffic stop in the suburb of Nanterre, Paris.

Nahel, whose full surname has not been disclosed, worked as a takeaway delivery driver and was the only child of his mother, Mounia. Mounia has voiced her belief that her son was targeted because of his “Arab face,” asserting that the officer “saw an Arab face, a little kid, and wanted to take his life.”

Videos capturing Nahel’s encounter with the police have fueled the outrage, as they contradict the official version of events. In response, the officer responsible for the shooting will face an investigation for voluntary homicide. Initial findings suggest that the conditions for the legal use of force were not met, although the officer contends that he acted out of fear that Nahel would harm someone with the car. The family expressed their intention to file complaints against the officer who fired the fatal shot, as well as another officer present at the scene.

Now the Nanterre prosecutor has confirmed that the officer involved in the shooting did not meet the necessary requirements to justify the use of his weapon. He will remain in custody until his trial. The incident has triggered violent acts, including arson and assaults on police stations, schools, and town halls. Interior Minister Darmanin condemned the “unbearable violence” that has unfolded and reported over 150 arrests related to the protests.

Protests have erupted in Paris and Brussels, with over 1000 arrests made in France and 14 individuals detained for breaking into a Nike store. To maintain order, approximately 40,000 law enforcement officers have been deployed nationwide, including 5,000 in Paris and its suburbs. Brussels has also witnessed unrest, resulting in eight arrests and an increased police presence.

French President Emmanuel Macron and Interior Minister Darmanin have called for calm, emphasizing the importance of awaiting the results of the ongoing investigations into Nahel’s death.