![A GoFundMe page for the police officer who shot dead a 17-year-old French-Algerian boy raises almost $2 million causing outrage [GoFundme]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/gofundme.png?resize=1200%2C800&quality=85&strip=all&zoom=1&ssl=1)
There is growing anger over a campaign to raise money for the family of the policeman who shot dead 17-year-old French-Algerian teenager, Nahel M, last Tuesday. Nearly $2 million ($1,636,190) has been raised so far by the GoFundMe campaign launched by a member of the French far-right. A similar collection to help the family of the victim has raised €424,739 ($462,069).
Nahel was killed a week ago in Nanterre outside Paris after being stopped by two motorcycle patrol officers and shot at point-blank range. An officer is under investigation for culpable homicide but that has not stopped thousands of people donating on his behalf. More than 85,000 people have donated so far, highlighting deep divisions in France. The shooting led to a wave of rioting and violence across the country and worsened deep political divisions.
READ: In France, police shooting of teen 'sign of institutional Islamophobia,' says expert
The Guardian reported that the collection for the 38-year-old officer named Florian M was organised by Jean Messiha, a former spokesperson for the far-right presidential candidate Eric Zemmour. The initial target is said to have been only €50,000 ($54,000).
Nahel's grandmother Nadia said she was "heartbroken" by the support shown for the officer. "He took the life of my grandson. This man must pay, the same as everyone," she told BFM television channel on Sunday. "I have confidence in the justice system. I believe in justice."
Questions have been raised about the legality and the morality of the campaign. Left-wing politicians have described the fund as "indecent". Others have said that it is "indecent and an absolute horror". Manon Aubry, a member of the European Parliament, said that the "message" sent by the campaign is that "it pays to kill a young Arab."
French law prohibits the opening of or public announcement of subscriptions whose purpose is to compensate for fines, costs and damages awarded by judicial sentences in criminal and correctional matters. The law allows for a six-month prison sentence or a €45,000 ($48,000) fine if broken.
The law has been used as recently as 2019 to close funds in support of gilets jaunes (yellow vests) protesters. A spokesperson for GoFundMe said that the camping did not break any rules because the money raised would go to the family of the police officer.
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