The two LBD shots carried out by two gendarmes on board quads, during the demonstration in Sainte-Soline, on March 25, were carried out in a state of “self-defense” according to the general inspection of the gendarmerie while this practice was prohibited.
The General Inspectorate of the National Gendarmerie (IGGN), seized on Tuesday March 28, to investigate the use of defense bullet launchers (LBD) by two gendarmes from quads, during a demonstration against “mega -bassines” in Sainte-Soline (Deux-Sèvres) on Saturday March 25, believes that these two shots were carried out in a state of “self-defense”. This IGGN report that franceinfo was able to consult on Wednesday concludes that the two soldiers have committed no fault.
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While it is forbidden to use LBD from moving quads, this administrative investigation was to say why these two gendarmes had nevertheless fired in the direction of the demonstrators. The report indicates that these two shots, which were fired at around 2 p.m. on Saturday March 25, did not hit any of the targeted protesters.
The IGGN relied on the testimony of the gendarmes, who fired the shots. These conversations were also recorded by a body camera. The soldiers justify the use of LBDs because they faced demonstrators who were about to throw projectiles, in particular stones, at the soldiers. Some protestors “particularly aggressive and organized”. “We could have left the skin there”testify the gendarmes who say they had the impression of being “on a battlefield”.
Situation of “proven danger” during LBD firing
These gendarmes, who traveled by quad during the Sainte-Soline clashes, were part of the PM2I unit (motorized interception and arrest platoon) used experimentally during this demonstration. It was for them to try to take back and disperse the most violent demonstrators. But this motorized unit was surrounded by Black blocks, indicates the IGGN. If they made these two LBD shots, it was because they were in a situation of “proven danger” in the words of the IGGN report.
It is in this context that two LBD shots were fired from quads, one stationary, the second while driving, although this is totally prohibited. But given the circumstances, the administrative investigation concluded that these two gendarmes were indeed in a state of self-defense when they fired, while they “were attacked on all fronts”. The act of the gendarmes was “commanded by an absolute necessity to defend oneself”.
“Axes”, “machetes”, “knives” and “rain of stones” according to the IGGN
Our soldiers acted with “proportionality and discernment” writes the director of the national gendarmerie to Gérald Darmanin, to whom he has just transmitted this report. This report also reveals that the soldiers never tried to conceal the shootings. They reported it immediately to their hierarchy, specifies the IGGN which exploited the logbook of the PM2I and the images of the pedestrian cameras.
The report recalls the level of violence during the Saint-Soline demonstration with demonstrators armed with “axes, machetes” or even of “knives” and some of which were seized. Despite the context in which these soldiers received “a shower of stones”they have “demonstrates extreme composure”notes the IGGN.
