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Postal worker in coma - police refused to help says trade union

A 39 year-old postal worker, Cyril, was trampled by police during a protest in Paris on Saturday and is now in a coma, according to the French postal and telecommunications union Sud-PTT. A statement released by the union stated that the police refused him medical attention after the incident.

Le Monde then reported that although the prefecture of police had announced that 34 police officers and 18 demonstrators had been wounded, they then specified that none had been seriously injured. It is understood that an investigation has now been called by the General Inspection of the Services (IGS).

A translation of the statement by the Sud-PTT from follows:

During the demonstrations of March 18 calling for the withdrawal of the CPE, in Paris, Cyrile, a member of the Sud-PTT, the postal and telecommunications authorities trade union, was violently trampled by a group of police at the Place de la Nation.

He was hospitalised on Saturday evening and we have just learned that he is in a coma. His condition is considered to be very serious and he is currently in intensive care. Throughout this affair, the attitude of the police has been scandalous. Not only with their violent behaviour at the time of the demonstration, but with their refusal to call for medical help, as Cyrile lay on the ground, obviously seriously injured.

It was the demonstrators who had to seek medical help for Cyrile. Sud-PTT demand that the attitude of the police must be brought to the attention of the public, as must the complicit behaviour of the government. Sud-PTT denounce in the strongest terms the police violence which has occurred once again at this immense demonstration against the CPE.

This shows more than ever the CPE must be withdrawn, the government must yield. The whole of Sud-PTT federation is deeply shocked and is determnied to give all its support to Cyrile to his family and close relations.

Released, Monday March 20th 2006 at 3.30pm
More than ever the CPE must be withdrawn, the government must yield. The whole of Sud-PTT federation is deeply shocked and makes a point of giving all its support for Cyril to his family and close relations.

Released, Monday March 20th 2006 at 3.30pm

http://www.sudptt.fr/article.php3?id_article=96614

Video footage of this incident is available here:
http://info.france2.fr/page-speciale/19265503-fr.php ( Manifestants dans le coma suite heurts de samedi)

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