Paris Riots: Officers cleared over teen substation deaths in 2005

A French court has cleared two police officers who were accused of contributing to the deaths of two teenagers that sparked weeks of rioting. A court in Rennes has ruled that Sebastien Gaillemin, 41, and Stephanie Klein, 38, were not responsible when two Muslim teenage boys chased by police hid in a power substation and were fatally electrocuted. A third boy survived the 20,000-volt electric shock with severe burns and lasting trauma. There are fears an acquittal might spark violent protests like those seen recently in the U.S..

If they enter the site, I wouldn’t pay much for their skins.

Comment made by Sebastien Gaillemin as the fleeing boys entered the power station

The deaths in October 2005 sparked weeks of urban rioting across the country. Thousands of vehicles were torched, public buildings were burned and thousands of people arrested. A state of emergency was put in place and a curfew imposed to bring the situation under control. The officers were facing up to five years in prison had they been convicted of failing to assist someone in danger.

France riots Europe