French riot officers go on trial accused of beating gilets jaunes protesters

Nine French riot police officers are going on trial in Paris accused of beating peaceful protesters who were sheltering from teargas during anti-government demonstrations in 2018. The case is one of the biggest trials over alleged police violence during the unrest, which involved hundreds of thousands of protesters wearing fluorescent jackets. On December 1, 2018, nine officers entered a Burger King near Paris's Arc de Triomphe, where non-violent protesters and journalists had sought shelter from teargas. The officers allegedly kicked or used batons to beat protesters on the body or head, with one person receiving 27 blows from six different officers. The trial is expected to determine whether the officers acted within their authority under extreme stress conditions. The accused face up to seven years in prison and a €100,000 fine if found guilty.

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