Cour de cassation poised to decide Adama Traoré case after 10 years
Ten years after the tragic death of Adama Traoré, France’s highest court is about to make a decision that could reopen one of the most contentious legal battles in recent memory. Traoré, a 24-year-old man, died in July 2016 shortly after being apprehended by gendarmes in Beaumont-sur-Oise. Since then, his family has pursued justice relentlessly, claiming that the actions of the officers directly contributed to his death.
The case has already passed through multiple layers of the judicial system. In 2023, a non-lieu—or dismissal of charges—was issued, a decision later confirmed by the appellate court in May 2025. Both rulings concluded that while Traoré’s death followed his arrest, there was insufficient evidence to hold the three gendarmes accountable. Medical experts attributed his death to heatstroke, likely exacerbated by the physical restraint and stress of the arrest, but not necessarily caused directly by it.
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Now, the family has turned to the Cour de cassation, seeking to overturn the non-lieu and force a full judicial review. They argue that critical investigative steps were never taken, particularly a reconstitution of the arrest, which could clarify disputed facts. According to the family’s legal team, such a measure is essential to reconcile contradictory expert reports and determine whether excessive force was used, including the controversial use of a prolonged ventral restraint.
This case has sparked a broader debate in France about policing, accountability and systemic racism. Supporters of the Traoré family have called for public attention, organizing gatherings outside the courthouse to demand justice and transparency. Meanwhile, the gendarmes’ defense emphasizes that judicial authorities have consistently found their actions within legal bounds and the prosecutor has requested the dismissal of the family’s appeal.
The outcome, whatever it may be, will have wide-reaching implications. A decision to annul the non-lieu could reopen the case, potentially bringing the gendarmes before a criminal court. It would also signal a willingness within France’s judicial system to revisit high-profile police-related deaths and reassess procedures in cases involving controversial arrests. On the other hand, a rejection of the appeal would reaffirm the earlier judgments, likely leaving the family and their supporters frustrated and highlighting the limits of legal recourse in complex cases of police use of force.
This Wednesday, the Cour de cassation will issue its ruling, a moment that could reshape public perception of justice in France. The eyes of the nation and indeed the world, are on this decision, waiting to see whether it will mark a turning point in the long struggle for accountability. Stay with us as we continue to cover every development in this landmark case.
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