French Officers to Face Trial for Assaulting Black Music Producer

On June 28, 2025, a Paris court announced that four French police officers are set to stand trial for the violent arrest of Michel Zecler, a prominent music producer, in November 2020. The event, captured on security cameras, ignited significant public discourse regarding police violence, particularly against Black individuals in France. However, key allegations of racial motives have been dismissed by magistrates due to insufficient evidence.

Michel Zecler alleges that during the assault, he was subjected to racial slurs, which prosecutors ultimately decided to exclude from the charges against two of the officers. Although this has drawn criticism from Zecler's legal team, they maintain that the lack of a racism charge will not restrict his ability to address his experiences during the trial.

Three specific officers are facing charges concerning aggravated assault and forging police reports that misleadingly depicted Zecler as the aggressor during what was supposed to be a routine ID check. Facing penalties of up to 15 years in prison along with hefty fines totaling around $264,000, these officers, identified only by their first names due to French legal practices, have generated widespread attention as the trial approaches.

This incident and the subsequent trial continue to fuel discussions about racial inequality and the need for accountability in law enforcement throughout France.