French police to face trial for 'suffocating' death of delivery driver during arrest

NEWS WIRES

3 January 2025 at 8:39 am·1-min read

File photo: Sofia Chouviat (L), daughter of Cedric Chouviat speaks next to her brother (R) during a march in memory of Cedric Chouviat, near the Eiffel Tower in Paris on January 3, 2021.

Three police officers will face trial in Paris for the 2020 death of Cédric Chouviat, who died in hospital after losing consciousness while being arrested. The of 42-year-old was tackled to the ground during his arrest and repeatedly told police offices he was "suffocating". The case has drawn comparisons to the death of George Floyd in the US.

Three police officers will be tried in Paris for the involuntary homicide of a man who repeatedly said "I'm suffocating" during his arrest in January 2020, a source close to the case told AFP Friday.

At least two of the officers have already lodged appeals to that decision.

The death of 42-year-old Cédric Chouviat after being tackled to the ground by a policeman has drawn comparisons to the May 2020 death in the US of George Floyd, video footage of which sparked global demonstrations.

Investigating magistrates found the officers had shown "inappropriate, negligent and imprudent behaviour" during Chouviat's arrest, in a document ordering the trial seen by AFP after first being revealed by investigative website Mediapart.

A fourth, female police officer present at the scene will not face trial.

Chouviat was tackled to the ground while wearing his motorbike helmet during the arrest in Paris on January 3, 2020.

He was brought to hospital in critical condition after losing consciousness but died on January 5.

"It's also an important step for addressing of police violence by the judiciary," he added.

(AFP)

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