France, Nov. 9 -- On 21 November 2020, France was under its second Covid-19 lockdown when police stopped Zecler outside his Paris studio, accusing him of failing to wear a mandatory face mask and suspecting him of cannabis use.

The officers pushed him into the entrance of his studio and violently beat him in an assault captured by security cameras.

Over approximately five minutes, Zecler suffered around 30 punches and truncheon blows to the face and body, according to the investigation.

A medical report documented injuries to his head and face, wounds to his lip and scalp, and a ruptured biceps tendon, leaving him unable to work for 45 days.

In their arrest report, the police claimed Zecler had struck them and attempted to seize a tru...