Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Paris on Sunday to protest the death of a Mauritanian migrant who died while in police custody. The protesters, gathered near the shelter where 35-year-old Al-Hassan Diarra had been residing, chanted slogans accusing the police of murder.
Diarra’s arrest occurred on January 14th in front of the shelter. According to the family’s lawyer, Yassine Bouzrou, a formal complaint has been filed accusing law enforcement of “intentional violence leading to death.”
Protesters, including members of Diarra’s family, carried signs demanding “Justice” and expressing condolences, before marching towards the police station where he was detained. A video allegedly showing the arrest, circulated on social media, appears to depict a police officer striking a man lying on the ground while another officer watches.
Paris police have announced an internal investigation into the circumstances surrounding Diarra’s arrest and subsequent death. According to the family, Diarra was drinking coffee outside the shelter when he was approached by police, leading to a confrontation.
Authorities claim that officers witnessed Diarra rolling a cannabis cigarette and attempted to search him after he refused. He was subsequently arrested on charges of resisting arrest, possession of a substance resembling cannabis, and possessing “forged” administrative documents.
Police reports state that Diarra was found unconscious while waiting on a bench at the police station. Paramedics were called and attempted to revive him, but he was pronounced dead.
During the protest, Diarra’s cousin, Dianko Sissoko, expressed skepticism about the prospect of justice, stating, “I don’t believe we will see justice at all, because even before Al-Hassan’s death, there were other deaths related to the police and justice was not served.”
The incident has reignited concerns about alleged systemic police violence against minority groups in France. The investigation into Diarra’s death is ongoing.
