Being an African, or black, in France is mostly not a happy position to be in. All too sadly the severely disadvantaged position in which Africans find themselves, has led to a host of ramifications. Who can forget the street riots which spread across Paris a few years ago.?
One young African got caught up with the riots - with, initially, devastating consequences, as reported here on France24.
"Almost exactly five years ago, riots in Paris’ suburb of Villiers-Le-Bel shattered the dreams of Mara Kanté, a then-20-year-old Frenchman who hoped to make football his career. Accused of attempted homicide against a police officer, he was imprisoned for 29 months, 11 of which he spent in solitary confinement. Ultimately acquitted, the young man shares his story in a new book*. He tells FRANCE 24 more about the judicial error that wasted over two years of his life.
On November 25, 2007, in the Paris suburb of Villiers-le-Bel, two boys named Moushin and Laramy (15 and 16 years old, respectively) died in a collision between the motorbike they were riding and a police car. This tragic accident led to two days of violent rioting by local youths. Nearly a hundred police officers were injured — some by gunfire — and numerous businesses and public buildings were set on fire.
As a result of anonymous tips provided in exchange for financial rewards, 33 youths were arrested on suspicion of having participated in the riots. In July 2010, a court condemned five of the youths, including Mara Kanté, to sentences ranging between three to five years in prison for having fired on policemen. Several months later, the main witness recanted, explaining he lied in order to receive the reward promised by the police.
In October 2011, an appeals court acquitted two of the defendants, including Mara Kanté."
One young African got caught up with the riots - with, initially, devastating consequences, as reported here on France24.
"Almost exactly five years ago, riots in Paris’ suburb of Villiers-Le-Bel shattered the dreams of Mara Kanté, a then-20-year-old Frenchman who hoped to make football his career. Accused of attempted homicide against a police officer, he was imprisoned for 29 months, 11 of which he spent in solitary confinement. Ultimately acquitted, the young man shares his story in a new book*. He tells FRANCE 24 more about the judicial error that wasted over two years of his life.
On November 25, 2007, in the Paris suburb of Villiers-le-Bel, two boys named Moushin and Laramy (15 and 16 years old, respectively) died in a collision between the motorbike they were riding and a police car. This tragic accident led to two days of violent rioting by local youths. Nearly a hundred police officers were injured — some by gunfire — and numerous businesses and public buildings were set on fire.
As a result of anonymous tips provided in exchange for financial rewards, 33 youths were arrested on suspicion of having participated in the riots. In July 2010, a court condemned five of the youths, including Mara Kanté, to sentences ranging between three to five years in prison for having fired on policemen. Several months later, the main witness recanted, explaining he lied in order to receive the reward promised by the police.
In October 2011, an appeals court acquitted two of the defendants, including Mara Kanté."
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