Young man’s head trauma linked to baton blows and not to a LBD shot

The LBD shot that hit Hedi on the night of July 1-2, 2023 in Marseille is not the cause of his injuries and after-effects, according to a medical expert report verified by France Bleu Provence on Wednesday July 3.

According to this report, it was the numerous blows given by the police officers when the young Marseillais was on the ground, in particular blows from a baton, which caused the head trauma. However, according to France Bleu, the police officer who fired the shot is not exonerated. It was indeed his flashball shot that made Hedi fall before receiving the blows. Furthermore, the report concludes that there was no mutilation or permanent disability.

Hedi, a 22-year-old Marseille resident at the time of the incident, claimed to have been the victim of police violence and to have been shot with a LBD during the riots that took place in Marseille after Nahel’s death in July 2023. The video in which he appeared with part of his skull amputated was widely commented on last year. The Marseille resident is due to undergo surgery soon to have a prosthesis fitted.

Four police officers are currently being prosecuted by the courts. The four BAC police officers are being indicted for aggravated violence in three circumstances: committed in a group, with the use of a weapon and by a person in a position of public authority. The police officer suspected of having injured Hedi with a shot from an LBD was released at the end of August 2023, after 40 days in detention.