European police misconduct legal proceedings

Legal proceedings are advancing in Belgium and France regarding deaths involving police interventions.

In Brussels, an investigative chamber is scheduled to decide whether to refer the Brussels-Capital/Ixelles police zone and two officers to a criminal court. The case concerns the death of Sourour Abouda, who died in a cell in January 2023. While police initially suggested suicide, investigators have ruled out self-inflicted death, and prosecutors are seeking charges of involuntary manslaughter. The victim’s family and the ‘Justice pour Sourour’ committee are also seeking to include six additional officers in the proceedings and are discussing the installation of a commemorative stele in Brussels.

In France, the trial regarding the 2020 death of Cédric Chouviat faces potential delays. Chouviat died following a confrontation with four officers in Paris; video footage captured him stating “I am suffocating” multiple times while pinned to the ground. Three officers are on trial, with one accused of using a prohibited chokehold. Although defense lawyers argue the officers did not perceive his distress, the Defender of Rights previously ruled the behavior was “unsuitable, negligent, and imprudent.” The victim’s family intends to contest the charge of “involuntary manslaughter” during the proceedings.