French appeals court lowers charges against police officer facing trial for killing of teenager

FILE PHOTO: People hold placards during a demonstration to demand justice two years after the death of Nahel, a 17-year-old teenager killed by a French police officer during a traffic stop, in Nanterre, near Paris, France, June 27, 2025. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes/File Photo

PARIS, March 5 (Reuters) - ⁠A French police officer initially charged with murder in the deadly shooting ⁠of a teenager in 2023 will instead stand trial for the lesser ‌charge of voluntary assault leading to death, the Versailles appeals court said on Thursday.

Police officer Florian M. had fired at NahelMerzouk after the latter had failed to comply with an order to stop his ​car.