PARIS - The police officer who fatally shot 17-year-old Nahel Merzouk during a police stop in Nanterre on June 27, 2023, will be tried for murder, according to a statement from the Nanterre prosecutor's office on June 3, 2025. The announcement follows an investigation that concluded on August 2, 2023, after which the prosecutors determined grounds for substantial charges against the officer.

The order for indictment issued by two investigating judges at the Nanterre judicial court specifies that the officer, identified as Florian M., will be charged with voluntary homicide.

The trial is scheduled for the second or third trimester of 2026 at the Hauts-de-Seine Assize Court, pending any potential legal recourse by the defense.

Nahel was killed by a close-range gunshot during a traffic control incident, an event that subsequently sparked several nights of unrest across France.

Initial police reports claimed Nahel had aggressively aimed his vehicle at the officer; however, this assertion was contradicted by video footage shared online which depicted the circumstances surrounding the incident differently.

Reactions from legal representatives involved in the case have varied.

Me Laurent-Franck Lienard, representing the police officer, commented that the decision to indict was expected but indicated that they would be appealing the ruling.

In opposition, Me Frank Berton, representing Nahel's mother, expressed satisfaction with the indictment and maintained that the facts merited the charge of murder.

This case has attracted significant public interest and has been a part of a broader discussion on police conduct and accountability in France, particularly in the context of racial and social tensions in the country.

The indictment underscores ongoing concerns regarding the use of force by law enforcement and the implications for community relations.