Macron's help raised initial charges against May

PARIS – A French judge on Sunday charged one of the highest security officials of President Emmanuel Macron after the video showing that he had beaten a protester during a protest May 1st.

French authorities opened a judicial investigation into the attack. Multiple alleged offenses include violence, interfering in the exercise of the public service and unauthorized public display of official badges.

The video released Wednesday by Le Monde newspaper triggered the first major political crisis for Macron since taking office. year. Lawmakers and political opponents of the president have asked why Benalla was not fired and sent back for prosecution when presidential officials learned that it was months ago.

The recording shows Benalla, who is not a policeman, wearing a police helmet. protest. Surrounded by the riot police, he brutally pulled a woman from the crowd and then repeatedly beat a young man on the ground.

The man was heard praying Benalla to stop. The police did not intervene.

Four others were also indicted on Sunday night: Vincent Crase, who was working for Macron's party and was with Benalla on the day of the protest, and three police officers suspected of illegally pbading images of the event

Benalla, aged 26, occupied the security of the Macron campaign and remained close to the youngest president of France after his election. The presidential palace began Friday action to dismiss Benalla and investigators broke into his home Saturday.

Macron's office stated that Benalla was supposed to accompany only officers to the May protest as an observer. criticized since he revealed that he knew the badault before last week. Macron is committed as a candidate to restore integrity and transparency to the presidency.

Lawmakers were appalled to learn that Benalla had only received a two-week hiatus and still had an office in the presidential palace two and a half months after the beating.

Suspicion of a possible concealment appeared after what appeared to be inconsistent responses from Macron's office. He said last week that since May, Benalla had been working in an administrative role instead of security. But Benalla was photographed by the president as a bodyguard during the French National Day on 14 July.

Macron's political opponents seized the opportunity. Republican leader Laurent Wauquiez said the government "was trying to hide a state issue."

The far-right leader Marine Le Pen tweeted: "If Macron does not explain, the Benalla affair will become the Macron affair."

Macron remained silent on captured behavior on video. Legislators plan to interview Interior Minister Gerard Collomb this week