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Macron security official caught on camera beating protester
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French President Emmanuel Macron is pictured during a joint press conference with the Peruvian president following talks at the Elysee Presidential Palace in Paris on June 8, 2017. (AFP/Patrick Kovarik)
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ne of President Emmanuel Macron's top security officers was at the centre of a potentially damaging scandal for the French leader on Thursday after being filmed hitting a protester.
Le Monde newspaper published a video showing Alexandre Benalla striking and then stamping on a young man while wearing a police visor during a demonstration in central Paris on May 1.
Benalla, who is not a policeman and previously worked as a bodyguard, had been given permission to "observe police operations" in central Paris during a day off on the May 1 public holiday, Macron's office said.
(1) Short summary: Alexandre Benalla, an employee for "security" at the Elysee palace and former bodyguard of Macron and Hollande was filmed masquerading as a policeman and beating up people during the 1 May demohttps://t.co/2Pb7ZEWI8x via @YouTube
— Bruno Amable (@bruno_amable) July 19, 2018
The presidential palace added that Benalla had been suspended for two weeks after the incident came to light and had been transferred out of his job, which was organising security for Macron's trips.
"This sanction was to punish unacceptable behaviour and it was a final warning before being sacked," presidential spokesman Bruno Roger-Petit told reporters.
Prosecutors in Paris opened a probe on Thursday into possible charges of violence by a public official, of pretending to be a policeman and the illegal use of police insignia.
Imitating a policeman can lead to a prison term of up to a year and a fine of 15,000 euros.
Benalla was the head of security during Macron's successful campaign last year, usually found several steps behind the then-candidate, and transferred to the presidential staff in May 2017.
Asked about the video and the investigation during a visit to southwest France on Thursday, Macron refused to comment, saying only: "I'm here with the people."
