Fundraiser in support of French cop who shot teenager dead raises over 1 million Euros
Fundraiser for victim could raise less than 200k Euros
Paris: A fundraiser for French police officer who shot a 17-year-old of North African descent dead during a traffic stop near Paris on June 27 which resulted in nationwide riots has reached over €1 million and has sparked outrage among activists and politicians.
The online fundraiser was started by Jean Messiha, a far-right media commentator and former advisor to Marine Le Pen for the 38-year-old police officer Florian M. More than 52,000 people have donated to the fund which has raised more than €1 million. A similar fund was created for the family of the victim, Nahel M, which could manage to raise only €189,000 on Monday.
Eric Bothorel, French MP has called the pot of several hundred thousand euros for the cop as “indecent and scandalous”.
Nadia, Nahel’s grandmother shared that she was heartbroken about the crowdfunding campaign and support for the cop. She told a French news channel BFM that she has confidence in the justice system. “He took the life of my grandson. This man must pay, the same as everyone,” she added.
Manon Aubry, French politician tweeted that the funds collected for the police officer who killed the teenager sends out a message. “It pays to kill a young Arab,” she stated.
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Ban is not shocking, if I join BJP my ban will be lifted: Bajrang on NADA suspension
New Delhi (PTI): Suspended for four years due to his "refusal" to provide sample for dope test, Olympic medallist Indian wrestler Bajrang Punia on Wednesday said it was a vindictive move by the government which would quash the ban if he joins the BJP.
NADA said Bajrang violated the rules by refusing to give sample during selection trials for the national team on March 10.
The anti-doping body had first suspended the Tokyo Games bronze medallist wrestler on April 23 for the offence following which, the sport's world governing body UWW had also slapped him with a suspension.
"It is not shocking because this issue about trial has been going on for last one year. I have said in the past too that I have not refused to give sample to NADA. When they visited my home to conduct the dope test, they came with an expiry kit (in December, 2023). I have also posted this on social media," Barjrang told reporters.
Punia, along with fellow wrestler and Olympian Vinesh Phogat, have joined the Congress Party earlier this year.
Bajrang added in his defence, "You can't give expiry kit to any player and as far as I am concerned, my team was there, so they saw it. They came carrying expiry kits dated 2020, 2021, 2022.
"I gave my urine sample but then my team checked the kit and found out that it was expired. So we made a video of the kit and we mailed NADA, called them to inform about the mistake. But they did not accept their mistake."
The wrestler alleged that the government is looking to get back at them for their involvement in the long-drawn sit-in protest against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, a BJP politician.
"I also feel that because of our protest in support of the women wrestlers, they are trying to exact revenge because all the agencies are fall under the purview of the government.
"I have been competing for the last 10-12 years and I have given sample during all tournaments, during the India camps. But the government's motive is to break us, make us bow down to them. If I join the BJP then I think all my bans will be lifted," Bajrang claimed.
The suspension means that Bajrang will not be able to return to competitive wrestling or apply for a coaching job abroad, if he aspires to, till April 22, 2028.
