Croix Rouge quarter of Reims
In Europe, more bloodshed to report. In Reims, France, a photo-journalist ventured into one of those no-go zones on February 27 to try and get footage of gang violence. While watching two groups of youths preparing to do battle, he was spotted, chased back to his vehicle, attacked, and his camera taken. Today, Christian Lantenois is in an artificial coma in a local hospital. One suspect is in custody, a 21-year-old Algerian with a lengthy criminal record.
The below article from Le Figaro is translated by Fousesquawk.
Photo-journalist attacked in Reims: A suspect in custody for "aggravated attempted murder"
Anes Saïd K. (21) placed in provisional detention after having remained silent during his custody.
by Aude Bariéty
Posted yesterday at 16:47, updated yesterday at 19:01
This Wednesday, 3 March, the Republic Prosecutor of Reims, Matthieu Bourrette, announced the indictment of the principal suspect of the attack on photo-journalist Christian Lantenois. Anes Saïd K., an Algerian, 21, who has lived in Reims for three years, was charged with "aggravated attempted murder" and placed in provisional detention. He faces life imprisonment.
This ultra-violent attack took place Saturday, 27 February in the afternoon, in the space of 57 seconds, in a parking area of the library of the Croix Rouge (Red Cross) quarter of Reims. Shortly after 15:00, while the photo-journalist of the Union-L'Ardennais was trying to take some photos of a group of youths who were obviously preparing to fight with other youths, he was spotted by several individuals.
Christian Lantenois then tried to get back into the passenger side of his vehicle but didn't have time. A youth rushed up to him, hit him with blows from a stick, then with his own camera. "A second individual was seen striking a baton in the direction of the victim, but it appears that the blows were struck on the ground and not upon Christian Lantenois," declared the prosecutor during a press conference.
Attacked because of his profession
"It is obvious that the presence of Christian Lantenois embarrassed the individuals who were preparing to commit violence, and that he was attacked as he was exercising his profession as a photo-journalist and for this reason," underlined Mattheiu Bourrette, all while noting that "this element is not an aggravating circumstance on a strictly legal level."
"It is probable that the group of individuals who spotted him wanted not only to attack him, but also to recover the memory (card) of his camera and the photos taken," continued the magistrate. After the events, the camera was recovered without its memory card.
The personnel of the library came to the assistance of the injured (man) before emergency personnel arrived at the scene at about 15:30. The 60+-year-old man was treated at the scene for an hour and a half before being transported to the CHU. His vital prognosis is today still engaged (urgent/unstable). Placed in an artificial coma, he suffers notably from very severe cranial trauma and cerebral hemorrhaging.
Vital Prognosis still engaged
The 21-year-old man suspected of having beaten the photo-journalist was identified and apprehended Monday, March 1, "on the public highway". Placed in custody, Anes Saïd K., maintained "complete silence". "No hearing could be held," explained the prosecutor, who described, "a rather irritated individual."
The Algerian is not unknown to the justice system: "Sentenced 8 times between 2018 and 2019, particularly for acts of burglary, use of drugs, and group violence, he was incarcerated at Reims from 16 April to 19 May for not having done the public service work he was obligated to do.
In the meantime, the investigations continue to identify and apprehend the other persons implicated in this attack, which has aroused an immense stir, not only locally, but within the world of media and with numerous responsible politicians, including the Elysee (Palace).
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