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French Officer Charged Over 2018 Marseille Beating That Fractured Woman's Skull

10:37 PM, 12/05/2025
French Officer Charged Over 2018 Marseille Beating That Fractured Woman's Skull

Key point: A French police officer has been charged with aggravated assault over a December 2018 beating in Marseille that left a 19-year-old woman, known as Angelina, with a fractured skull. He is the first officer to face charges in the case; a second officer faces charges for failing to assist, and a total of 10 officers are under investigation. Campaigners are calling for independent probes into police brutality and greater accountability.

Officer Charged After 2018 Marseille Beating Leaves Young Woman With Skull Fracture

Prosecutors announced on Friday that a police officer has been charged with aggravated assault in connection with the December 2018 beating of a 19-year-old woman on the sidelines of protests in Marseille. The woman, who has released only her first name, Angelina, suffered a fractured skull and other lasting injuries.

On the day of the incident several demonstrations took place in Marseille, including a "Yellow Vest" march for economic justice. Authorities deployed about 500 officers. According to the prosecutor's statement, the saleswoman was returning from work with her boyfriend when she was struck in the thigh by a projectile and then allegedly beaten by roughly 15 police officers who kicked her and struck her with batons. Her boyfriend was also assaulted when he tried to intervene.

The city's prosecutor said one officer has been charged with aggravated assault and with failing to assist a person in danger. The public prosecutor had sought pre-trial detention, but a judge instead placed the officer under judicial supervision and imposed a ban on practising his profession. A second officer has been charged with failing to assist a person in danger and likewise placed under judicial supervision.

In total, 10 police officers are under investigation: eight for failing to assist a person in danger, and one additionally prosecuted for assaulting the victim's boyfriend.

Prosecutor's statement: One officer charged with aggravated assault and failure to assist; another charged with failure to assist. Judicial supervision ordered; ban on practising the profession applied to charged officer.

Campaign groups have urged more impartial, independent investigations into alleged police brutality, arguing that internal probes by police forces too often shield officers from prosecution. The developments mark the first criminal charges against an officer in this high-profile case nearly seven years after the attack.

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