“These images of a rare violence are unsustainable,” Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez wrote regarding the beating of a police officer. Two teenagers aged 15 and 17 were placed under formal investigation for aggravated violence following the severe beating of a police officer in Belfort on Friday, October 2, 2026, according to an announcement made on Sunday, October 4, 2026, by the Belfort prosecutor’s office.
Prosecutor Paul-Édouard Lallois Details Aggravated Violence Charges
The investigation was initially opened for attempted murder. Prosecutor Paul-Édouard Lallois told the press on Sunday that the two adolescents were ultimately investigated for aggravated violence. He noted that “probative elements” regarding an intent to kill were missing. The victim, the head of the departmental intelligence service in Belfort, had been struck on the ground after attempting to arrest the older suspect. The officer, a man in his 50s, was identified by authorities as having spotted the teenager participating in the throwing of projectiles and burning of garbage cans during a high school protest movement. A police commander present in civil clothes for “territorial intelligence” and “observation” functions had identified the individual for participating in bin fires on public roads in previous days.
Prosecutor Lallois noted that neither teenager has any prior judicial record. The 15-year-old is in the first grade (classe de première), while the 17-year-old is a Bulgarian national born in Russia who arrived in France in 2020. The older suspect, from a family of four children, admitted to delivering “two kicks to the head” and expressed “significant regrets,” according to Lallois.
Did You Know? The investigation centers on events that unfolded near the Courbet high school in Belfort, where approximately 200 youths had gathered for a student demonstration, with authorities estimating that about 50 individuals engaged in acts of violence.
Contested Arrest Near a Belfort Stream
The initial apprehension of the 17-year-old suspect near a stream has triggered sharp public controversy and conflicting legal accounts. Videos circulating online show the officer and the teenager near the water, leading to allegations on social media that the officer attempted to drown the young man. Prosecutor Lallois stated that nothing indicated the teenager’s head was submerged in the stream, which has a maximum depth of 19 centimeters, adding that the suspect answered in the negative when asked during custody if he believed the officer tried to drown him.
This characterization was rejected by Arié Alimi, the lawyer representing the 17-year-old suspect. Speaking on BFM-TV, Alimi accused the prosecutor of lying to journalists. Alimi asserted that the officer put the child’s head in the water and announced that his client had filed a complaint for attempted murder, while also demanding the case be transferred to another jurisdiction due to alleged procedural irregularities. Alimi further claimed that the prosecutor organized the procedure to “extinguish the scandal” and noted the suspect is Russian-speaking and lacked an interpreter.
Interior minister condemns footage of beating
The assault prompted strong responses from national officials. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez condemned the footage of the beating as unsustainable and of a rare level of violence. Nuñez added that the officer, who was “voluntarily targeted,” lost consciousness and was hospitalized, though his condition later ceased to be a major concern.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were the charges changed from attempted murder to aggravated violence?
Prosecutor Paul-Édouard Lallois stated that the two adolescents were investigated for aggravated violence after the investigation had been initially opened for attempted murder.
What legal status do the two suspects currently hold?
The 15-year-old was placed under judicial control with obligations that include a ban on protesting and a ban on carrying weapons.
What injuries did the police officer sustain during the incident?
After the attack, the officer was evacuated to the Nord Franche-Comté hospital. Medical examinations detailed by the prosecutor revealed wounds to the right arcade and cheek, a facial bruise on the right side, diffuse neck pain, acute stress, and emotional shock, alongside substantial bruises on his thigh and leg, including one hematoma measuring 20 cm by 10 cm and another measuring 10 cm by 4 cm.
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