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FRANCE-POLITICS-ASSAULT
Macron aide who struck protester to be fired
PARIS, July 20, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – The office of French President Emmanuel
Macron told AFP on Friday that it has begun dismissal proceedings against a
top security aide who violently struck a protester during a demonstration in
Paris in May.
A video published this week shows Alexandre Benalla manhandling and
striking a demonstrator while wearing a police helmet, even though he is not
an officer.
Paris prosecutors also said Benalla has been detained for questioning in
the assault inquiry, where he also faces charges of impersonating a police
officer.
Macron’s office said the decision to fire Benalla was taken after “new
elements” emerged in the case, which has become the most damaging scandal
facing the centrist president since his election last year.
A source close to the inquiry said three police officers have also been
suspended on suspicion they provided Benalla with surveillance footage of the
May 1 demonstration in an attempt to prove his innocence.
“He is suspected of receiving material from the police he was not
authorised to have,” the Elysee said.
Lawmakers have also launched a commission of inquiry as a second video of
the incident emerged, in which Benalla is also seen violently wrestling a
young woman to the ground.
Benalla was punished with a two-week suspension without pay in May and
later transferred to another post, but the incident was not reported to
prosecutors.
BSS/AFP/SSS/1541 hrs