France to investigate fundraiser for family of policeman who killed Nael M.

By Esra Taskin

PARIS (AA) - An investigation has been launched into the donation campaign organized for the family of the police officer who killed Nael M. last month in a suburb of Paris.

Paris Prosecutor's Office told Anadolu in a statement that the investigation was launched into the donation campaign that collected €1.6 million (nearly $1.8 million).

The investigation was triggered after Yassine Bouzrou, the lawyer representing Nael M.'s family, filed a complaint against Jean Messiha, a far-right politician who initiated the campaign.

The forensic police have taken over the investigation file.

Messiha, the former spokesperson of far-right politician Eric Zemmour, launched the campaign on GoFundMe platform to support the family of the policeman.

The campaign caused controversy in the country.

Bouzrou filed a complaint against Messiha on the charge of "organized fraud".

- Protests in France

Protests erupted in France late last month when a police officer fatally shot and killed Nahel M., a 17-year-old of Algerian descent, during a traffic check in the Paris suburb of Nanterre. The incident reportedly occurred after he ignored orders to stop.

Following Nahel's killing, thousands of people took to the streets in France.

During the protests held in many cities, including Paris, Marseille, and Lyon, there were incidents of pillaging and looting.