President Emmanuel Macron has fired the head of his personal security detail, Alexandre Benalla after a video was released showing the bodyguard beating a protester while off duty in May.
Judicial sources told Reuters the bodyguard, who just days ago was seen in public helping to organize security for celebrations for the return of France’s World Cup champion soccer team, was now being held by police.
Benalla was initially given a 15-day suspension for the incident, which occurred when he attended May Day protests in a riot helmet and police identification tags.
But critics of Macron have called the president’s delayed response to the incident another sign that he was out of touch.
Meanwhile, the country’s parliament on Thursday agreed to launch an inquiry into the case.
