Macron security aide who attacked anti-government protesters on May Day is CHARGED by prosecutors 

Two former Emmanuel Macron bodydguards and three policemen were tonight charged in connection with violent attacks on anti-government protestors in France.

Alexandre Benalla, a 26-year-old who was one of the president’s closest lieutenants, and the other four face prison as the biggest crisis in Mr Macron’s term of office to date intensified.

Mr Macron has been accused of covering up for Benalla, who was filmed impersonating a police officer as he attacked demonstrators, including a woman, at a rally in Paris on May 1.

Security adviser Alexandre Benalla has been charged by prosecutors after footage emerged of him attacking May Day protesters earlier this year

The 26-year-old was one of the president Macron's closest lieutenants (pictured together last May)

The 26-year-old was one of the president Macron’s closest lieutenants (pictured together last May)

Benalla was on Sunday night indicted with charges including violence at a public meeting, impersonating a police officer and trying to destroy video evidence.

Vincent Crase, who worked for Mr Macron during his election campaign last year, faced similar charges.

The policemen, meanwhile, were accused of giving Benalla video surveillance images of his assaults in ‘breach of professional secrecy’.

They are said to have hidden the footage in the hope that it could not be used as evidence.

Alexandre Benalla, who is in his mid-30s, attacking two young protesters, including a woman (pictured)

Mr Benalla is seen throwing a young male protester on the ground

Mr Benalla was caught on film donning a riot helmet before attacking one woman (left) and one man (right) as they protest Macron’s employment reforms

All of the men were on Sunday night bailed to appear in court at a later date after judicial police spent the weekend interviewing them.

‘They are all under judicial control,’ said a prosecuting source, as he confirmed all of the charges.

Benalla, who used to ski and cycle with Mr Macron, was initially suspended from the Elysee Palace staff for just fifteen days, but his alleged crimes were otherwise hushed up.

Benalla, in his 30s, is understood to be facing a range of criminal charges including 'violence committed in a group by a person with a public service mission'

Benalla, in his 30s, is understood to be facing a range of criminal charges including ‘violence committed in a group by a person with a public service mission’

It was only when opposition politicians saw the incriminating footage of him on social media that further action was taken.

Mr Macron has, meanwhile, remained silent on the scandal, leaving it to government aides to issue statements. Neither Benalla nor Crase have so far commented either.

Benalla was forced to cancel his wedding on Saturday as detectives grilled him in custody.

When other demonstrators start shouting at Benalla, he looks scared of being identified behind his visor, and then slinks off to a café (pictured) 

When other demonstrators start shouting at Benalla, he looks scared of being identified behind his visor, and then slinks off to a café (pictured) 

He was due to marry his fiancee, Myriam, in the Paris suburb of Issy-les-Moulineaux, with guests including other close aides of Mr Macron present.

There have been calls for Gerard Collomb, France’s Interior Minister, to resign over the scandal. He is due to be questioned by MPs on Monday.

Under clause 40 of the French penal code, the government should have informed the judiciary of the criminal incident the moment they were aware of it.

Patrick Hetzel of the opposition Republicans party accused Mr Collomb of a ‘string of lies’ aimed at hiding a ‘scandal of state’. 



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