A GoFund me page set up to support a police officer who fatally shot a French teenager has raised more than £600,000.
Nahel Merzouk, a 17-year-old from an Algerian and Moroccan background, died last week in an encounter with police in Nanterre near Paris - sparking five days of rioting across France.
According to a fellow passenger in the vehicle, one of the cops is said approached the window of a car the teen was driving, before telling him: "Cut the engine or I'll shoot you."
The officer then smashed the teen in the face with his weapon, before another cop followed suit, he said in a video shared on social media.
Following days of demonstrations and fierce political debate in France, a controversial fundraiser in aid of the detained police officer who shot Nahel has now raised more than €738,718 (£634,391).
It was set up by former National Rally member Jean Messiha. The 52-year-old is an ally of Eric Zemmour, who stood as a right-wing candidate in France's recent election.
A description on the page reads: "Support for the family of the Nanterre policeman, Florian M who has done his job and is now paying a high price.
"Support him MASSIVELY and support our law enforcement!"
Nahel's grandmother Nadia, who has condemned the rioting, has spoken of her sadness at the money raised for the officer and told BFM TV that her "heart is in pain".
A leaked police intelligence report in France has meanwhile described officers as being ‘at war with savage hordes of vermin’.
Two police unions threatened a revolt unless Emmanuel Macron’s government restored order.
‘Today the police are in combat because we are at war,’ says the report. ‘Tomorrow we will enter resistance and the government should be aware of.’
Nahel's death was the third fatal shooting by police during traffic stops in France in 2023.
The officer who killed Nahel is being held in jail, and has reportedly asked Nahel’s family for forgiveness.
