Victims' relatives condemn a visit by an official inquiry team as a "parody of justice"
- Inquiry team visit Bataclan
- They are “walked through” the events of November 13th
- Relatives say they have been left out of the loop
The news
ADVERTISEMENT22 members of the French parliament have visited the Bataclan concert hall in Paris.
It is part of a government inquiry into the November the 13th attacks in the French capital.
Le Bataclan ouvre ses portes exceptionnellmt: les secours expliquent l'attaque à la commission d'enquête #RTLinfo13Hpic.twitter.com/Atpq7is6V7
— RTL info (@rtlinfo) March 17, 2016
Bataclan has been closed since the night of the November attacks in Paris. > La commission d'enquête parlementaire sur les attentats de Paris va se rendre ce matin à 9h30 au Bataclan #bataclanhttps://t.co/Bk9YYQ85K6
— Jean Marc Morandini (@morandiniblog) March 17, 2016
Security screens have gone up around the site. A group of first responders who were at the scene on the night of the attack was also present to help with the visit.
What happened at Bataclan?
- 3 – attackers opened fire at Bataclan
- 90 – the number who died at the venue
- 130 – the number who died in the attacks
- 350 – the number injured
- 4000 – the number of injured and traumatised
Three ISIL-linked attackers opened fire during an “Eagles of Death Metal” concert at Bataclan.
Many people died in the main concert hall.
Some managed to escape through fire exits while others were taken hostage.
The security services stormed the building after several hours.
The investigation
Attentats de Paris: une commission d'enquête parlementaire au Bataclan https://t.co/W7zpZfocmtpic.twitter.com/u3XMnz8DbF
— 20 Minutes (@20Minutes) March 17, 2016
The Bataclan is a well-known music venue in Paris. > La commission d'enquête sur les attentats de Paris, présidée par GeorgesFenech</a>, se rend au Bataclan <a href="https://t.co/RoGn6CiTqd">https://t.co/RoGn6CiTqd</a></p>— NSLJ Juristes (NSJuristes) March 16, 2016
Judge and French member of parliament Georges Fenech is head of the commission. The investigation is intended to help avoid a repeat of the attacks.
It was set up in February.
It is focusing on the authorities’ reaction times, particularly at Bataclan.
The plan also includes a fake bombing at a mock sports venue.
This is intended to recreate the simultaneous suicide attacks on the French national stadium on the night.
A final report is due on the 14th of July.
The controversy
The families of some victims have criticised the exercise as needlessly painful.
Plainte de N.Ribert-Reinhart : “Je comprends la démarche! Mais je m'interroge sur les résultats!” D.Giraud #GGRMCpic.twitter.com/R0octZnWjr
— Les Grandes Gueules (@GG_RMC) January 19, 2016
Some gathered outside Bataclan to protest.
Nadine Ribert-Reinhart, whose 26-zear-old Valentin died in the attack, described the visit as “disgraceful”.
ADVERTISEMENTThe President of the Commission, Georges Fenech, has been careful to stress it is not an official re-enactment.
What they are saying
“Along with the police, we will see chronologically the way in which they intervened during the attacks and answer questions that the investigation committee has – and all the victims, their families and the French people have as well.” – Judge Georges Fenech, president of terrorism commission.
“The fact that these 30-plus lawmakers have come to see what happened at the Bataclan is disgraceful and close to something we could call voyeurism.” – Nadine Ribert-Reinhart, mother of 26-zear-old Valentin who died in the attack.