Death in Police Custody in Saint-Ouen, France: Father Files Complaint

After the death of a 44-year-old man in police custody in Saint-Ouen, France, his father filed a complaint on Wednesday, October 28, for violence resulting in death. Mauricio K. died on Tuesday, October 27, at the city's police station in the Seine-Saint-Denis département, north of Paris. On Wednesday evening, the Bobigny prosecutor's office said the autopsy had revealed no traumatic injuries that would explain the death.

Found unconscious in the afternoon

According to prosecutors, the man was arrested on Monday, October 26, while "heavily intoxicated." He was accused of sexist insults as well as insulting and threatening public officials. Immediately after his arrest, he was reportedly taken to a hospital, which confirmed that he was fit to be held in custody.

During the night leading into Tuesday, a doctor from a forensic medical unit also reportedly examined him, and he was questioned one last time in the morning. According to prosecutors, he was found unconscious at around 3 p.m. He reportedly suffered cardiac arrest and died despite the efforts of firefighters.

Prosecutors opened an investigation to determine the cause of death and tasked the IGPN, the inspectorate general of the French National Police, with the case. The authority said this is standard procedure in cases of death in custody.

Lawyer speaks of severe violence

The father filed the complaint with the Bobigny prosecutor's office. His lawyer, Yassine Bouzrou, writes in it that severe violence was committed during the arrest and possibly also at the police station where the 44-year-old died. Mauricio K. had not suffered from any serious illness that could explain his sudden death.

The complaint alleges assault by public officials resulting in death. In France, this carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison. The complaint states that it is essential for an investigating judge to be brought in.

Speaking to the newspaper Le Parisien, which was able to view the complaint, Bouzrou criticized the "deafening silence" of the prosecutor's office and the police oversight body. He said he does not believe in heart failure: "You don't just die alone in police custody if you have no health problems."

According to the lawyer, Mauricio K. worked as a painter.

Further expert reports announced

In its statement, the prosecutor's office points to a pre-existing heart condition in the man. The autopsy results were communicated to the family late on Wednesday afternoon.

According to prosecutors, further expert reports are needed to determine the cause of death in a man with a prior cardiac condition.