Video emerges of Macron bodyguard beating protester in Paris

A video showing one of French President Emmanuel Macron's security chiefs beating a student demonstrator, until now cloaked in secrecy, drew fierce public backlash Thursday over what is seen as mild punishment and a possible cover-up.

FILE - In this Wednesday April 26, 2017 file photo French centrist presidential election candidate Emmanuel Macron, flanked by his bodyguard, Alexandre Benalla, left, arrives outside the Whirlpool home appliance factory, in Amiens, northern France. Benalla, an aide to President Emmanuel Macron, charged with security, has been seen in a video wearing a police helmet and beating up a student protester in May, reigning criticism on Macron notably due to the light punishment _ a two-week suspension. (Eric Feferberg/Pool via AP, File)

The video of the May 1 event in Paris, revealed by Le Monde on Wednesday evening, shows Alexandre Benalla in a helmet with police markings, and surrounded by riot police, brutally dragging off a woman from a demonstration and then repeatedly beating a young man on the ground. The man is heard begging him to stop. Another man in civilian clothing pulled the young man to the ground.

Police, who had hauled the man from the crowd before Benalla took over, didn't intervene. Benalla then left the scene. The second man was apparently a gendarme in the reserves who Le Monde said had worked with Benalla in the past.

FILE - In this March 1, 2017 file picture centrist presidential candidate Emmanuel Macron, center, flanked by his bodyguard, Alexandre Benalla, left, visits the Agriculture Fair in Paris, Wednesday, March 1, 2017. Benalla an aide to President Emmanuel Macron, charged with security, has been seen in a video wearing a police helmet and beating up a student protester in May, reigning criticism on Macron notably due to the light punishment _ a two-week suspension. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena, File)

The uproar over Benalla's punishment — a two-week suspension and a change in responsibilities — upended regular business in parliament with lawmakers aghast that the security official still has an office in the presidential palace two-and-a-half months after the incident, and that he was not immediately reported to judicial authorities.

A preliminary investigation was hastily opened Thursday as the tempo of outrage swelled.

"I'm surprise he hasn't resigned," said conservative lawmaker Jean-Christophe Lagarde, adding that if Benalla doesn't do so himself, the president should remove him or the drama will jump to "an affair of state."

FILE - In this Friday, May 5, 2017 file photo French independent centrist presidential candidate Emmanuel Macron, flanked by his bodyguard, Alexandre Benalla, right, shakes hands with supporters as he campaigns in Rodez, southern France. Benalla, an aide to President Emmanuel Macron, charged with security, has been seen in a video wearing a police helmet and beating up a student protester in May, reigning criticism on Macron notably due to the light punishment _ a two-week suspension. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena, File)

But Macron has remained silent about a man he knows well. Benalla, who hasn't commented on the matter, handled Macron's security during the presidential campaign.

Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, responding to questions in the Senate, called the video images "shocking," but stumbled to respond to questions, notably whether all French are equal before the law.

Interior Minister Gerard Collomb said that the two men tackling the young protester "obviously had no legitimate (reason) to intervene." He said he has demanded that a police unit which investigates suspected criminal behavior by officers explain the rules governing observers and verify whether they were respected.

Condemning the "unacceptable behavior," Macron spokesman Bruno Roger-Petit said that Benalla was also removed from his responsibilities of organizing security for presidential trips — though he maintains his office at the Elysee Palace.

In this grab taken from video on May 1, 2018 provided by Clemont Lanot, French security chief Alexandre Benalla patrols during clashes with activists on the sidelines of the traditional May Day rally, in Paris France. A video showing one of French President Emmanuel Macron's security chiefs beating a student demonstrator in May, until now cloaked in secrecy, is drawing a fierce public backlash over what is seen as mild punishment - a two week suspension and a change in responsibility. (Clemont Lanot via AP)

Authorities belatedly launched a preliminary investigation that could lead to charges against Benalla, a judicial official said on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to discuss an ongoing case.

Despite his official change to a desk job, Benalla was seen this month on the ground with police at several high-profile events, including the return home Monday of France's champion World Cup team, an event attended by hundreds of thousands.

Macron, in the Dordogne region to officially launch a new postage stamp, didn't respond to questions about the scandal. The upstart centrist elected last year had promised an exemplary presidency during his term to break with unending cases of corruption in French politics.

In this image taken from video, a man identified as Alexandre Benalla, right, a security chief to French President Emmanuel Macron, confronting a student during a May Day demonstration in Paris, May 1, 2018. The video came to light Thursday July 19, 2018, showing one of Macron's security chiefs beating a student demonstrator, until now cloaked in secrecy, and is drawing a fierce public backlash over what is seen as mild punishment of a two-week suspension, and a possible cover-up. (Nicolas Lescaut via AP)

Roger-Petit said the punishment dealt out to Benalla was the "most serious" ever given to a top aide at the presidential Elysee Palace and served as a "last warning before dismissal."

Opposition politicians denounce a climate of impunity at the top of the French political hierarchy.

The head of France's main conservative party The Republicans, Laurent Wauquiez, asked on Europe 1 radio if the government was trying to "hush the affair."

"The feeling is that at the Elysee people think they're above everything," Wauquiez said.

Roger-Petit, the presidential spokesman, stressed that Benalla had requested authorization to use his day off "to observe" security forces' operations on May Day when marches are traditionally held. It was granted.

In this image taken from video, a man identified as Alexandre Benalla, right, a security chief to French President Emmanuel Macron, confronts a student during a May Day demonstration in Paris, May 1, 2018. The video came to light Thursday July 19, 2018, showing one of Macron's security chiefs beating a student demonstrator, until now cloaked in secrecy, and is drawing a fierce public backlash over what is seen as mild punishment of a two-week suspension, and a possible cover-up. (Nicolas Lescaut via AP)

It was unclear why the young man under attack, who wasn't detained, was singled out by police before Benalla intervened.

"An observer doesn't act like that," said the spokesman for the UNSA-Police union. They are typically equipped and briefed in advance, and the framework is "completely clear," Philippe Capon told BFM-TV.

He couldn't say why police didn't stop Benalla.

The context was "special," he said. "He was an observer from the Elysee. When police officials hear the word 'Elysee' there is a particular apprehension."

PARIS (AP) — Freshly cooked bread, select cheeses and a broad veggie offer will be among the meals to be offered to athletes and visitors during the 2024 Paris Olympics — including, of course, gourmet dishes created by renowned French chefs.

About 40,000 meals are expected to be served each day during the Games to the more than 15,000 athletes from 200 different countries housed at the Olympic village.

Visitors, too, will be able to enjoy some specially created snacks at the different venues.

French food services company Sodexo Live!, which was selected to oversee the catering at the athletes’ village and 14 venues of the Paris Games, said it has created a total of 500 recipes, which will notably be offered at a sit-down eatery for up to 3,500 athletes at the village, meant to be the “world's largest restaurant."

“Of course, there will be some classics for athletes, like pasta," said Nathalie Bellon-Szabo, global CEO of Sodexo Live! But the food will have a "very French touch.”

Athletes will also have access to “grab and go” food stands, including one dedicated exclusively to French cuisine cooked up by chefs.

Renowned French chef Amandine Chaignot, who runs a restaurant and a café-bistro in Paris, on Tuesday unveiled one of her recipes based on the iconic croissant.

“I wanted the recipe I suggested to be representative of the French terroir, but I wanted athletes to enjoy it at the same time,” she told the Associated Press. “It was quite obvious for me to make a croissant that I could twist. So, you have a bit of artichoke puree, a poached egg, a bit of truffle and a bit of cheese. It’s both vegetarian and still mouthwatering.”

Every day, during the July 26-Aug. 11 Games, a top chef — including some awarded with Michelin stars — will cook in front of the athletes at the Olympic Village, “so they’ll be able to chat and better understand what French cuisine is about — and to understand a bit of our culture as well,” Chaignot said.

Daily specials will be accompanied by a wide range of salads, pastas, grilled meat and soups. Cheeses will include top quality camembert, brie and sheep’s milk-based Ossau-Iraty from southwestern France.

The Olympic Village will also feature a boulangerie producing fresh baguettes and a variety of other breads.

“The idea is to offer athletes the chance to grab a piping hot baguette for breakfast," said baker Tony Doré, who will be working at the Olympic Village's main restaurant.

Athletes interested in other than sports, will even be able to participate in daily bakery trainings, and learn to make their own French baguette, said Doré.

In an effort to provide as many options as possible, meals offered will revolve around four cuisines: French, Asian, African and the Caribbean and international food.

Paris 2024 organizers have promised to make the Games more sustainable and environment-friendly — and that includes efforts to reduce the use of plastic. To this effect, the main restaurant at the village will use only reusable dishes.

Additionally, organizers say all meals will be based on seasonal products and 80% will come from France.

Plant-based food will represent 60% of the offer for visitors at the venues, including a “vegetarian hot-dog," said Philipp Würz, head of Food and Beverage for the Paris 2024 Committee.

There's “a huge amount of plant-based recipes that will be available for the general public to try, to experience and, hopefully, they will love it," said Würz.

The urban park at the Place de la Concorde, in central Paris, will offer visitors 100% vegetarian food — a first in the Games’ history. The place will be the stage for Paris 2024’s most contemporary sporting disciplines: BMX freestyle, 3x3 basketball, skateboarding and breakdancing.

AP journalist Nicholas Garriga contributed to this report.

AP Olympics coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games

Fish dishes, prepared by 3-star chef Alexandre Mazzia, are presented Tuesday, April 30, 2024 in Paris. Some 40,000 meals will be served each day during the Games to over 15,000 athletes housed at the Olympic village. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Twisted croissants with artichoke puree, a poached egg, a bit of truffle, and a bit of cheese, created by French chef Amandine Chaignot, are seen Tuesday, April 30, 2024 in Paris. Some 40,000 meals will be served each day during the Games to over 15,000 athletes housed at the Olympic village. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Chocolate breads made by French baker Tony Dore and that will be served during the. Olympic Games are seen Tuesday, April 30, 2024 in Paris. Some 40,000 meals will be served each day during the Games to over 15,000 athletes housed at the Olympic village. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

French chef Amandine Chaignot, of the restaurant "Pouliche", who will prepare food for athletes during the Olympic Games, answers questions Tuesday, April 30, 2024 in Paris. Some 40,000 meals will be served each day during the Games to over 15,000 athletes housed at the Olympic village. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

A bread salad made by chef Stephane Chicheri is presented Tuesday, April 30, 2024 in Paris. Some 40,000 meals will be served each day during the Games to over 15,000 athletes housed at the Olympic village. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

French baker Tony Dore prepares baguettes, like those that will be served during the. Olympic Games, Tuesday, April 30, 2024 in Paris. Some 40,000 meals will be served each day during the Games to over 15,000 athletes housed at the Olympic village. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)