Créteil (AFP)

The trial of journalist and activist Taha Bouhafs for contempt and rebellion against a police officer, whom he himself accused of violence during his arrest in mid-June while he was covering a demonstration of undocumented migrants in Alfortville (Val-de- Marne), was postponed to July 3, 2020.

"Given that there is an IGPN investigation underway, it seems to me to be timely and in the interest of all to postpone this case to a later date," announced at the opening of the hearing, where Numerous police officers and supporters of the journalist, the president of the Créteil court were present.

The Crown and counsel for Mr. Bouhafs, Me Arié Alimi, also agreed, asking that the conclusions of the IGPN investigation be placed on the file.

On June 11, 2019, Taha Bouhafs, 22, is arrested as he films with his mobile phone a demonstration of undocumented workers in front of Chronopost in Alfortville, in the Paris suburbs, for the media Over There if I go there am.

Placed in police custody in the process "for contempt and rebellion" on police officials, the journalist, who denies the facts, also files a complaint for "violence" by a person holding public authority and accuses a police officer of having him dislocated the shoulder.

During his arrest, his cell phone, with which he had filmed the scene, is placed under seal.

In a decision of November 12, consulted by AFP, the Créteil court ordered the return of Mr. Bouhafs' phone.

However, "we have not, to date, still recovered the phone, which prevents our defense," said at the hearing Me Alimi, who denounced "the obstruction of the parquet floor of Créteil".

Sweeping the criticism, the president of the court pleaded a "problem of management of the registry" of the court and invited him to appear at the registry after the hearing. The phone was indeed returned at the end, then confirmed to AFP Me Alimi.

Originally from Échirolles in the southern suburbs of Grenoble, Taha Bouhafs is known for filming Alexandre Benalla violating a couple in Place de la Contrescarpe in Paris on May 1, 2018 as well as for his reports at the heart of social movements.

Mr. Bouhafs is also placed under the status of assisted witness, intermediary between the indictment and the status of simple witness, after having tweeted the presence of Emmanuel Macron at the Bouffes du Nord theater last January.

© 2020 AFP