World · Europe · 2 hrs ago
Australian tourist says French police stopped and questioned him in Paris
Australian tourist Ahmed Assaad says police stopped him and his teenage brother while they were walking back to a hotel in Paris earlier in October.
Assaad says officers questioned them, checked their identities and took their passports, but did not explain why they had been stopped.
He filmed part of the encounter and posted it online, where the video shows officers around the pair before they appear to ride away.
Assaad later said police had accused them of being armed and had sworn at them before he began filming; these are his claims.
The video does not show a further incident, and the reason for the stop is not established in the account.
Australia advises travellers in France to carry photo identification, noting that police may carry out random checks, especially at borders.
Australian tourist Ahmed Assaad says French police stopped and questioned him and his teenage brother in Paris earlier in October.
He says officers did not give a reason, took their passports and asked them to undergo checks.
A video shows officers conducting identification checks and asking Assaad to remove a hand from his pocket.
Assaad also alleges officers swore at them and claimed they were armed, while the video ends with police riding away without further incident.
Social media users disagreed over whether the police check was justified.
- Who
- Australian tourist Ahmed Assaad and his teenage brother were stopped by four French police officers.
- What
- Assaad says the officers questioned them, checked their identities and took their passports without explaining why.
- When
- Earlier in October; the exact date is not stated.
- Where
- Paris, France.
- Why
- The reason for the stop is not stated. Assaad says officers did not give one.
Ahmed Assaad
Social media users defending the police check
Justification for the stop
Ahmed Assaad
Assaad says police gave no reason for stopping and questioning them.
Social media users defending the police check
Some users said police checks were normal or that the tourists should have cooperated.
Officers’ conduct
Ahmed Assaad
Assaad says officers did not give their names and alleges they swore at the brothers.
Social media users defending the police check
Some users criticised Assaad for disrespecting the officers.
Assaad says he and his teenage brother were stopped by four officers on bicycles while walking back to a hotel in Paris.
Assaad posted a follow-up TikTok video describing what he says happened before he began filming.
- Tourist
- Ahmed Assaad
- Location
- Paris, France
- People stopped
- Assaad and his teenage brother
- Officers
- Four officers on bicycles
- Checks
- Officers appeared to conduct identification checks
- Incident date
- Earlier in October
What people are saying
This is for our safety. I'm afraid of the police who come and pull us over for no reason.
They didn't even give their names. How do I know they're actually police officers?
I don't see a problem with them checking. Just let them check and leave. There's no need for all this drama or to disrespect them.
They demand your details but they hide their identity.