Pensions: a policeman accuses Eric Coquerel of having hit him, an investigation opened

Alexis Delafontaine, William Molinié 15:43 pm, March 20, 2023

The tone went up a notch on Monday morning on the dump truck garage of Aubervilliers in Seine-Saint-Denis, where the Veolia site is requisitioned by the State. The police intervened to ensure that the trucks could freely enter and exit. According to information from Europe 1, Nupes MPs Eric Coquerel and Bastien Lachaud also went to the site in support of the blockade.

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According to a source close to the case, an altercation took place with the police. The president of the Finance Committee of the National Assembly has not been arrested. But back at the police station, one of the police officers filed a complaint, accusing the parliamentarian of punching him in the face. According to the first elements, he benefited from a day of temporary interruption of work (ITT).

Present with @LachaudB in front of the dump truck garage of Aubervilliers.

The blockade lasted nearly 4 hours before being cleared by force.

✊The mobilization continues. pic.twitter.com/48xVscp7AB

— Eric Coquerel (@ericcoquerel) March 20, 2023

Investigation initiated

In his three-page complaint that Europe 1 consulted, the police brigadier explains: "Mr. Coquerel had his fists closed at the height of my face, he hit me with the back of his closed fist more precisely with his knuckles. I received the blow at the level of my left cheekbone. I then informed him that he had hit me. He was like, 'No, I was going to fall.'" Then the policeman continues: "He did not lose his balance at any time."

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For his part, the relatives of Eric Coquerel denied to Europe 1 any altercation with the police, as confirmed by the statement issued by the deputy Nupes. "I went to Aubervilliers this morning to support the garbage collectors of the Veolia garage. As soon as I arrived, I found myself, with my colleague Bastien Lachaud, facing police officers pushing back the demonstrators. The load was such that it generated a strong stampede, during which I almost fell several times. I learned with astonishment that a police officer had filed a complaint against me for intentional violence against a person in charge of the security forces. I formally deny this accusation," he said.

The police officer who filed the complaint and several of his colleagues had activated their pedestrian camera. The images are currently being used. According to a judicial source, an investigation has been opened by the Bobigny prosecutor's office on the charge of intentional violence against a person holding public authority, entrusted to the territorial security.