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SCHOOLS

France defends teen’s classroom arrest over bullying case

The French government on Wednesday defended the arrest of a teenage boy in the middle of class over claims of bullying a transgender classmate, a rare move that angered many pupils and parents despite widespread support for a crackdown on harassment.

France defends teen's classroom arrest over bullying case
Photo by BERTRAND GUAY / AFP

The 14-year-old boy was put in handcuffs and marched out of his classroom in the Paris suburb of Alfortville Monday.

Government spokesman Olivier Véran said the arrest had been made “in compliance” with policies against abusive behaviour, and aimed to send “a very strong message” to bullying students.

“This is how we end this plague of harassment, it’s also how we are going to protect our children,” he said.

A police source told AFP the decision to arrest the boy was based on “the nature of extremely serious threats that required urgent detention”.

The alleged victim, who attends a different school, was targeted with comments such as “We’re going to cut your throat” and “I detest your type… go die, go kill yourself”.

At the boy’s school, many parents and fellow students were shocked at the arrest, asking why it could not have been done after the school day.

“He’s still just a teenager, a minor,” said Lamia, the 39-year-old parent of a student. “It’s really not normal… even though I’m against what was going on.”

One 14-year-old student who witnessed the arrest told AFP that “the principal knocked and told us an arrest was underway. Officers came in and seized his arms… and put on handcuffs.

“I thought it was impossible for police to come into a classroom,” she added. “We were shocked, some were laughing nervously.”

Didier Georges, of the SNPDEN-Unsa education union, said while regulations had been followed for the arrest, “that is not what we recommend for an intervention”.

“Common sense would dictate that such arrests not be made in class, even when completely justified,” he said.

The controversy comes days after it emerged that education officials had sent a threatening letter to the parents of a boy who had complained of being bullied by classmates for months, saying their public statements complaining about the bullying were “unacceptable” and urged them to adopt a “constructive” attitude.

The boy, identified as Nicolas, 15, later killed himself on September 5th in a Paris suburb, one day after pupils went back to school after the summer break.

Education Minister Gabriel Attal called the letter “shameful” and promised “a wake-up call” on the risks of bullying.

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POLICE

French police officer charged over fatal shooting

French authorities charged a police officer with voluntary manslaughter after the fatal shooting of a 19-year-old man as he fled a police traffic check.

French police officer charged over fatal shooting

It was the latest case of alleged police violence against suspects that has sparked protests in recent years by critics citing heavy-handed tactics, particularly against minorities.

After the police officer was taken into custody on Sunday, she was ‘presented to an examining magistrate’ and ‘charged with voluntary manslaughter’, said state prosecutor Gauthier Poupeau.

“The police officer has been placed under strict judicial supervision,” prohibiting her from travelling and from working as an officer, he added.

Last year, France was shaken by rioting over the killing outside Paris of a teenager by a policeman during a traffic check.

READ ALSO Thousands march against police violence in France

On Sunday, the young man killed was among three people in the car when police tried to stop them for speeding near Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, said another state prosecutor, Pierre-Yves Marot.

The driver ‘did not obey the warnings’, refused to stop and sped away before being forced to halt by a second police car.

All three occupants of the vehicle attempted to flee.

One person escaped while another was detained and charged on suspicion of robbery because the vehicle had been reported as stolen.

“The third person, a 19-year-old from Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, was confronted by officers from the second patrol and knocked into one of them while trying to flee,” the prosecutor’s office said.

“The officer then used a stun gun” while a colleague drew and “used her service weapon, fatally striking him in the chest”.

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