Suspended Sentences Sought for Nine CRS Officers in 'Gilets Jaunes' Burger King Assault Trial

On February 12, 2026, prosecutors requested suspended prison sentences ranging from six to twenty months against nine CRS officers accused of violently assaulting 'gilets jaunes' protesters inside a Burger King during the third act of protests on December 1, 2018. The officers, members of CRS 43 based in Chalon-sur-Saône, stand trial in Paris for deliberate violence with aggravating circumstances.

The incident, lasting two minutes and 37 seconds, was extensively filmed by protesters, journalists, and surveillance cameras, providing unmistakable evidence of the officers’ actions. Prosecutor Manon Dubarry emphasized that "disorder never suspends the law; the law is not a luxury reserved for calm days," stressing that the force used was disproportionate and unnecessary. She also highlighted the difficulty for CRS in managing chaotic situations but reaffirmed their professional responsibility to exercise control.

Four victims who suffered baton strikes or kicks have formally come forward as civil parties, while investigators have identified sixteen additional unidentified victims who did not report themselves. The videos captured were crucial in preserving an accurate account of events, preventing any rewriting of history.

The verdict is expected on March 17, marking a significant moment for police accountability amidst France's social justice debates involving state force and protester rights.