The French government called for calm on Thursday following the announcement of the brain death of a 16-year-old boy of Turkish descent after his motorcycle collided with a police car under disputed circumstances on a road outside Paris. The victim's family lawyer accused the police of ramming the boy's motorcycle during a high-speed chase. Prosecutors stated that two policemen have been detained as part of a potential investigation for involuntary manslaughter. They cited police claims that the young man did not comply with orders to stop while riding his motorcycle on the sidewalk and crashed into a police car at an intersection while trying to escape. Earlier today, prosecutors reported that the young man had died.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, a little more than two months after police shot and killed a 17-year-old of North African descent in Nanterre, a suburb of Paris. That incident sparked five days of riots and looting across the country, reigniting deep resentment among the poor in France's suburbs, particularly communities of immigrant descent, which have long accused the police of violence and racial profiling.
The boy, who his lawyer Yacine Bouzrou stated holds both French and Turkish citizenship, was taken to the hospital after suffering serious injuries at the scene of the accident. Government spokesperson Olivier Véran indicated that ongoing investigations would clarify the "exact circumstances" of the incident. He urged on France Inter radio, "I clearly call for calm... I urge restraint and careful consideration." He added, "Regardless of the tragic nature of the situation, it needs answers that we do not have yet."
The collision occurred as France is preparing to host the Rugby World Cup. The tournament, one of the major events on the international sports calendar this year, kicks off tomorrow, Friday, with France playing against New Zealand at the Stade de France near Paris.
