France: racist comments published by police on Facebook, the justice system seized

Gendarmerie control (photo of illustration). JEAN-CHRISTOPHE MAGNENET / AFP

Text by: RFI Follow

Hundreds of racist or xenophobic publications published on Facebook by members of the police: the Streetpress site has published a survey which identifies these publications posted on a private Facebook group. Christophe Castaner, the French Minister of the Interior, announced this Friday June 5 that he is taking legal action.

Publicity

Read more

"  If they are proven, these words are unacceptable,  " warns Christophe Castaner. This Friday, he therefore seized the public prosecutor for an investigation to be opened and thus shed light on the people who made these racist remarks.

Revelations

This referral to the prosecutor follows revelations published Thursday by the Streetpress site . In free and open access, the survey reveals hundreds of comments posted on a private group whose members had to prove that they were indeed part of the police, by sending for example their personnel number.

Journalists have managed to infiltrate this active group since 2015 and which brings together more than 8,000 members, among them, a priori , many police and gendarmes. In some cases, the comments follow photos or press articles posted in connection with the news. Last Tuesday, for example, after the major mobilization for Adama Traoré, several comments were posted under a photo showing the crowd gathered in court.

"  I have a doubt that we are still in France  "

We can for example read: "  I have a doubt that we are still in France  " or "  it's like after the sinking of an oil tanker  " or "  the KFCs will binge after that  ". In the description of the group, it is however specified that racist or xenophobic remarks are not authorized.

In addition, few members speak to calm the spirits. An investigation should therefore soon be launched to shed light on the members of this group, sometimes under pseudonym.

Read also: Echoing the United States, Omar Sy calls to "denounce police violence" in France

Newsletter Receive all international news directly in your mailbox

I subscribe

Follow all international news by downloading the RFI application

google-play-badge_FR

  • France
  • Justice
  • Christophe Castaner
  • Racism