The former officer who was accused of punching a drunken individual in the face whilst holding him in custody at the Gare police station in May 2023 has been sentenced to three years in prison, with two suspended. He will also be made to pay a fine of €5,000.
His colleague, who watched the incident unfold whilst standing nearby, will serve a two-year sentence with integral suspension, and must pay a fine of €2,000.
A third officer, who was not on duty at the time but still present in the cell where the incident took place, has also been sentenced. He will receive a three-year sentence, with two suspended, and a fine of €5,000.
The police chief in charge of the station also had to stand trial, accused of trying to cover up the incident, as he instructed a young officer to include elements in the report which did not correspond to the truth. He has now been sentenced to three years in prison, with two suspended, and fined €5,000. In addition, he has been banned from holding public office, teaching, or carrying or owning weapons for the next five years.
The victim was awarded €5,000 in compensation for moral damages. Two months ago, the public prosecutor's office called for stronger punishments, including prison sentences of three to six years for the four former officers.
