A legal complaint alleging fraud and misuse of personal data was launched by Nahel Merzouk's mother, centre. EPA
A legal complaint alleging fraud and misuse of personal data was launched by Nahel Merzouk's mother, centre. EPA
A legal complaint alleging fraud and misuse of personal data was launched by Nahel Merzouk's mother, centre. EPA
A legal complaint alleging fraud and misuse of personal data was launched by Nahel Merzouk's mother, centre. EPA

World

Europe

France investigates fund opened for policeman who sparked riots

Probe launched after dead teenager's mother lodged a legal complaint

Soraya Ebrahimi
Soraya Ebrahimi

July 19, 2023

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French prosecutors have opened an investigation into an online collection for a policeman who sparked nationwide riots in June by shooting a teenager dead in a Paris suburb.

Far-right media commentator Jean Messiha launched a campaign on GoFundMe and received pledges of more than €1.6 million ($1.7 million) before it was closed in early July.

A legal complaint alleging fraud, misuse of personal data and Messiha's involvement in these crimes was filed by the mother of 17-year-old French-Algerian Nahel Merzouk, who was killed in Nanterre on June 27.

A legal investigation by specialised financial crime investigators was under way, the Paris prosecutor told AFP on Wednesday.

"We welcome the speed of the decision by the prosecutor," said Yassine Bouzrou, the lawyer for Nahel's family.

Messiha has been contacted for comment.

Riots in France - in pictures

  • French soldiers patrol near the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. EPA
    French soldiers patrol near the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. EPA
  • Graffiti reading "Justice Nahel" scrawled on the Palais Royal Musee du Louvre Metro sign in Paris. Getty Images
    Graffiti reading "Justice Nahel" scrawled on the Palais Royal Musee du Louvre Metro sign in Paris. Getty Images
  • Branch of BNP Paribas bank on Rue La Boetie in Paris with windows boarded up amid nationwide rioting. EPA
    Branch of BNP Paribas bank on Rue La Boetie in Paris with windows boarded up amid nationwide rioting. EPA
  • Vehicle overturned in Paris street amid clashes between riot police and protesters. Reuters
    Vehicle overturned in Paris street amid clashes between riot police and protesters. Reuters
  • Police clash with protesters on the Champs Elysees in Paris. Reuters
    Police clash with protesters on the Champs Elysees in Paris. Reuters
  • A policemen walks past a burning lorry in Nantes, western France, amid protests. AFP
    A policemen walks past a burning lorry in Nantes, western France, amid protests. AFP
  • French police arrested hundreds of people nationwide during a fourth consecutive night of rioting over the killing of a teenager by police. AFP
    French police arrested hundreds of people nationwide during a fourth consecutive night of rioting over the killing of a teenager by police. AFP
  • Firefighters control the blaze on a burning bus in Nanterre. EPA
    Firefighters control the blaze on a burning bus in Nanterre. EPA
  • Protesters block a street during during clashes with riot police in Colombes, near Paris. EPA
    Protesters block a street during during clashes with riot police in Colombes, near Paris. EPA
  • Firefighters extinguish a bus set on fire during clashes between protesters and riot police, in Nanterre. EPA
    Firefighters extinguish a bus set on fire during clashes between protesters and riot police, in Nanterre. EPA
  • Buses and trams were also targeted in some of the previous nights' violence. EPA
    Buses and trams were also targeted in some of the previous nights' violence. EPA
  • Protesters block a street with bins in Colombes. AP
    Protesters block a street with bins in Colombes. AP
  • Police officers patrol in Nanterre, outside Paris. AP
    Police officers patrol in Nanterre, outside Paris. AP
  • Police officers patrol in Nanterre, outside Paris. AP
    Police officers patrol in Nanterre, outside Paris. AP
  • A burning car in the La Meinau district of Strasbourg, eastern France. AP
    A burning car in the La Meinau district of Strasbourg, eastern France. AP
  • Protesters in Concorde, Paris. Getty Images
    Protesters in Concorde, Paris. Getty Images
  • France had deployed 45,000 officers overnight to tackle the violence. AP
    France had deployed 45,000 officers overnight to tackle the violence. AP
  • People demonstrate in Concorde, Paris. Getty
    People demonstrate in Concorde, Paris. Getty

The 38-year-old motorbike traffic officer behind the killing of Nahel has been detained and charged with voluntary manslaughter.

The shooting, at point-blank range, sparked the most intense urban violence in France since 2005 and rekindled complaints about heavy-handed policing and racism in poor areas of the country.

Messiha said the fund, which was intended for the officer's family, was "a cry from French people to demand order, a cry of love for their security forces".

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Why the Tourist Club?

Originally, The Club (which many people chose to call the “British Club”) was the only place where one could use the beach with changing rooms and a shower, and get refreshments.

In the early 1970s, the Government of Abu Dhabi wanted to give more people a place to get together on the beach, with some facilities for children. The place chosen was where the annual boat race was held, which Sheikh Zayed always attended and which brought crowds of locals and expatriates to the stretch of beach to the left of Le Méridien and the Marina.

It started with a round two-storey building, erected in about two weeks by Orient Contracting for Sheikh Zayed to use at one these races. Soon many facilities were planned and built, and members were invited to join.

Why it was called “Nadi Al Siyahi” is beyond me. But it is likely that one wanted to convey the idea that this was open to all comers. Because there was no danger of encountering alcohol on the premises, unlike at The Club, it was a place in particular for the many Arab expatriate civil servants to join. Initially the fees were very low and membership was offered free to many people, too.

Eventually there was a skating rink, bowling and many other amusements.

Frauke Heard-Bey is a historian and has lived in Abu Dhabi since 1968.

Updated: July 19, 2023, 7:57 PM
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