Three French police officers go on trial in Paris over 2020 beating of Michel Zecler

Trial opens before the Paris criminal court

Three police officers go on trial on 9 November 2026 before the Paris criminal court over the 2020 beating of Michel Zecler, a music producer. Aurélien B., Pierre P. and Philippe T., aged 29, 37 and 50, are accused of intentional violence committed as a group and of forgery of a public document, offences that carry up to 15 years in prison. The hearing is expected to last two weeks. A fourth officer is to be tried before the correctional court, a lower tribunal. The three officers were suspended from the police after the incident, and their lawyers declined to comment before the trial.

What the surveillance footage showed

On 21 November 2020, during France's second national lockdown, a police patrol stopped Zecler outside his studio in Paris. The officers accused him of not wearing a face mask and suspected him of cannabis use. They pushed him into the narrow entrance of the studio, where the surveillance camera recorded the assault. According to the investigation, between 19:42 and 19:47 he was hit about 30 times on the face and body with fists and truncheons. The medical report listed craniofacial trauma, a wound to the lip and scalp and a complete rupture of the biceps tendon, which kept him from work for 45 days. Loopsider published the footage six days after the incident, and it contradicted the officers' arrest report, which said the producer had struck them and tried to seize a truncheon. President Emmanuel Macron described the affair as a shame.

Racism allegations and disputed charges

Zecler says the officers also insulted him with racist language during the assault. France's human rights ombudswoman reported that four witnesses described racist expressions being used. The officers deny this, and the allegation is not part of the indictment. Zecler has said he will repeat his claim at the hearing.

“I was insulted and I will repeat this at the hearing,”

One German report lists additional counts of aggravated bodily harm, trespassing and property damage, and puts the possible fine at up to 225,000 euros. The other reports do not mention these details, and they describe the charges as intentional violence in a group and forgery.

Wider debate and what comes next

The case revived debate about violence and racism in the French police. Rights groups argue that ethnic minorities receive harsher treatment from officers than white people, while authorities and police unions say such incidents are isolated. Supporters including rapper Stomy Bugsy, actor Jean-Pascal Zadi and singer Princess Erika could not get into the small courtroom on the opening day. Then interior minister Gérald Darmanin said the officers had dirtied the uniform of the Republic. Ahead of the hearing, Zecler told AFP he feels a mix of apprehension and anger, and he set out what he wants from the court.

“I expect this trial to hold the police officers accountable,”

The court is scheduled to hear the case over two weeks, with the three officers facing up to 15 years in prison if convicted.