American student among ultra-Leftists on trial in Paris for setting police car on fire

A transgender American student is among nine ultra-Leftists who went on trial on Tuesday accused of attacking and setting fire to a police car with two officers inside during a demonstration in Paris.

The American, named only as Kara B., 28, has admitted  throwing a metal bar at officers during the demonstration last year over alleged police violence against protesters.

Also in the dock are Antonin and Angel Bernanos, 19 and 23, the great-grandsons of a well-known French writer, Georges Bernanos. Both are university students. All the defendants face up to 10 years in prison.

Footage of the attack shocked France. Furious masked protesters, wearing helmets and goggles, are shown smashing two of the car’s windows. One hurled an incendiary device into the vehicle.

The police officers, a woman and a man, managed to get out just before the car was engulfed in flames.

The driver, 31-year-old Kevin Philippy, fended off a frenzied assault by one of the self-styled “anti-fascists” who hit him with a pole, while his colleague Allison Barthélemy escaped.

His courage and aplomb as he defended himself with his bare hands, refraining from using his sidearm, won public admiration. He has been dubbed the ‘Kung-Fu policeman’. 

Eventually another demonstrator interceded, moving Mr Philippy’s assailant to one side, allowing the policeman to leave.

Ms Barthélemy told prosecutors before the trial: “I was afraid I was going to die.”

Minutes after the attack, protesters placed a placard beside the burned-out car reading ‘poulets rôtis’ (roast chickens). ‘Poulets’ is a slang term equivalent to ‘cops’.

The incident took place on a day when police themselves were demonstrating in Paris against “anti-police hatred” from protesters opposing labour reforms.

All the defendants face maximum sentences of 10 years on a range of charges including aggravated assault. Initial charges of attempted murder were dropped.

They were identified by an anonymous witness said to be an undercover police officer. That has led to accusations that they are the targets of a witchhunt.

The trial is expected to last all week, with amateur videos of the attack serving as evidence.

Several faculty members of Nanterre University, where Antonin Bernanos is studying sociology, have spoken in his defence.

Supporters of the accused were to demonstrate outside the court last night (Tues night).