French investigating magistrates have dropped their case against three gendarmes over the 2016 death of a young black man held in custody and which sparked violent protests, reports FRANCE 24.
Adama Traoré, 24, died shortly after being arrested in the town of Beaumont-sur-Oise, with his death triggering accusations of police brutality and racism, and several nights of protests.
Authorities said at the time that an autopsy revealed he had been suffering from a serious infection and that his body showed few signs of violence.
Investigating magistrates were tasked with probing whether the three arresting officers used disproportionate force against Traoré whom they apprehended after a chase in July 2016 during a heatwave with temperatures of 37 Celsius (99 Fahrenheit) during a police operation targeting his brother, Bagui.
The officers were never charged.
The Traoré family's lawyer, Yassine Bouzrou, said Friday he would appeal the magistrates' decision, which he said was based on "contradictions, inconsistencies and serious violations of the law".