Key information 'missing' over young man who died in police custody near Paris

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The death in custody of 24-year-old Adama Traoré after he was arrested by gendarmes near Paris on July 19th provoked violent disturbances among locals and anger from the young man's family. Prosecution authorities insisted that Traoré's death was due to a heart attack and a pre-existing infection. Yet autopsy reports suggest signs of “asphyxiation”. And Mediapart understands that key information about the circumstances of the young man's death have not yet been passed to a judge investigating the case. Adama Traoré's family is now considering legal action over the issue. Faïza Zerouala reports.

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When a 24-year-old black man, Adama Traoré, died on July 19th after being arrested by gendarmes from Persan in the Val-d'Oise area just north of Paris it sparked angry protests in nearby residential areas as well as peaceful marches. Traoré was arrested after apparently fleeing an identity check because he did not have his papers on him. He was taken back to the police station at Persan where he was kept in a yard and died later that evening, with fire officers and medical staff unable to revive him.

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