Who is Michel Zecler? All about the Black musician as four police officers to stand trial for assault

Michel Zecler, a well-known name in French rap, has grabbed national attention again. This time, he stands at the center of a drawn-out legal battle over claims of police brutality.

The case, which started in November 2020, has led Parisian judges to decide that four cops should face trial for what they did to Zecler and others at his music studio.

The event that sparked the ongoing trial took place on November 21, 2020, while the COVID-19 pandemic was in full swing. Police conducted a check on Zecler inside his music studio in Paris. Reports suggest this check started because of a suspected cannabis odor and Zecler not wearing a face mask.

The encounter escalated into violence, during which Zecler sustained significant injuries, including a ruptured biceps tendon, resulting in a 45-day medical leave from work.

Initially, the police filed a report accusing Michel Zecler of rebellion and aggression. But a few days later, Loopsider put out video footage that went against their story. The video showed parts of the attack and seemed to prove the police actions weren't justified. After people and politicians spoke out, they dropped the first look into Zecler and started to focus on what the officers did.

Zecler says that since getting out of prison for a past crime, he's worked hard to stay on the right side of the law and make a real impact in the music world.

Who is Michel Zecler?

Michel Zecler is a producer, who grew up in Martinique before moving to Bagneux, just south of Paris. He's talked about his younger days, including the time he spent behind bars from 17 to 24 for armed robbery.

After that, he chose a different path, making a name for himself in French music and leaving his past behind.

Officers face trial for assaulting Michel Zecler amid allegations of misconduct and racist abuse

Three cops—Aurélien L., Philippe T., and Pierre P.—will now go to trial at the Paris Departmental Criminal Court. They face charges of faking public documents as public officials and also causing harm on purpose. These acts were done by public officials in a group and involved using a weapon.

A fourth cop, Hugues R., will have a separate trial for using tear gas outside the studio, which affected Zecler and some young people nearby. The court looked into claims that race played a role in how the officers acted. Michel Zecler said the police used racial insults when they dealt with him, even calling him an offensive name. But the judges decided there wasn't enough proof to say the actions were motivated on racist grounds.

While the racist motive was not upheld, the court’s decision to proceed with the charges reflects the seriousness of the case. The trial is expected to draw further attention to the broader issues of police conduct and accountability in France. Zecler’s legal team has expressed the importance of the trial in providing closure for their client after what they described as a prolonged and traumatic ordeal.

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