On June 1, 2023, Amar Slimani, a homeless Algerian man, was fatally shot by an off-duty police officer, raising serious questions about police conduct and racial bias. Slimani was sleeping in the dependency of a house located in Bobigny, near Paris, when the incident occurred. His family has voiced strong accusations of racism and insensitivity from the French authorities, who they believe have mishandled the case.
According to his family’s lawyer, Yacine Bouzrou, Slimani was neither armed nor threatening at the time he was shot seven times at close range. The off-duty officer, related to the homeowner, arrived beforehand and opened fire without waiting for his on-duty colleagues. Bouzrou stated, “There was no justification for such use of force.” The officer has claimed self-defense; yet, Bouzrou argues the proximity and number of shots fired dismiss this defense.
His family portrays Slimani as having been dehumanized by the police and the media. They argue the officer's actions reflected underlying racism, with Bouzrou adding, “For this policeman, Amar was less than human, simply a foreigner of no importance.” Shockingly, after killing Slimani, the officer allegedly took photos of his body.
Despite the severity of the incident, coverage by French media has been sparse, often dismissing Slimani with labels such as “squatter” or “homeless” rather than recognizing his humanity. Rachid Slimani, Amar's brother, insisted, “This reduces his life to nothing; Amar had family, he was loved.” The family feels entirely disregarded, noting the authorities made no attempt to inform them after the incident.
Rachid recounted, “It was only through a call from Algeria days later I learned of my brother's death. Otherwise, Amar would have been cremated without us knowing.” This led to distress and anguish as they hurried to repatriate his body to Algeria.
The police officer, 27 years old at the time, has been charged with murder and remanded but the notion of racial intent has yet to be pursued as part of the investigation, which the family finds deeply troubling. Rachid states, “Everything indicates this policeman saw Amar as a threat simply because he was Algerian.”
Reflecting on the impact of the event, Bouzrou feels the incident symbolizes broader issues of police violence and the treatment of vulnerable populations. “This case poses serious questions about the use of force by law enforcement, especially against those who are socially marginalized.”
This tragedy has ignited calls for justice from International Human Rights Organizations, emphasizing the need for accountability and dialogue on systemic racism within police forces.
Continuing the fight for justice, the Slimani family remains hopeful the on-going investigation will lead to transparency and acknowledgment of the systemic issues at play. The lack of coverage and attention by the media feels like salt on the wounds still fresh from this trauma.
Rachid concluded emphatically, “We want the truth and justice for Amar. This isn’t just about our family, but about all the invisible people who suffer quietly.” With families like theirs seeking answers, Amar Slimani’s story serves as a reminder of the urgent need to address police conduct and its impact on marginalized communities.
