France shooting: Police officer who shot teenager Nahel to receive only 40% of $1.7M raised for him

Updated on July 7, 2023 at 11:24 AM

Supporters of the policeman who shot and killed 17-year-old Nahel raised money on his family's behalf. The fund now amasses $1.7m, 40% of which will go directly to the policeman.

The policeman who shot 17-year-old Nahel will only receive 40% of the $1.7m raised for him

Several people have labelled this an 'outrageous fundraiser'. Called Support for the family of the Nanterre policeman and launched by far-right French politician Jean Messiha, the fundraiser reached $1.7 million on Tuesday, just four days after it was opened. A colossal sum that has outraged public opinion, while only $210,947 have been raised for the relatives of the victim, 17-year-old Nahel.

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The controversial fundraiser, fed by more than 85,000 people, was closed this Tuesday, July 4, 2023. The GoFundMe website now reads:

The organizer has deactivated the payment of new donations on this fundraiser.

The GoFundMe page has reached $1,779,749

Since its creation, demonstrators in France have been wondering what would happen to the money. We now know that the family of the police officer under investigation for voluntary manslaughter will benefit from the fundraiser. However, his next of kin will not receive the full 1.7 million dollars. According to the tax lawyer who spoke to Challenge magazine, French law implements that you can only receive 40% of any donation.

Donations between third parties are subject to transfer duties of 60%, with a few exceptions, such as associations authorized to receive donations.

French police officer who shot dead 17 years old boy gets €1M in donations via GofundMe. Many French people are not happy about this at all. The appeal was set up by Jean Messiah, a former adviser to French far right politician Marine Le Pen. pic.twitter.com/VjqEtRVqqB
— Eduardo (@Uchenna_97) July 3, 2023

But that's not all! The costs of the GoFundMe platform must also be taken into account. The site charges a 2.9% commission on the amount raised. In the terms and conditions, the platform explains why it takes such an amount off fundraisers.

Transaction fees cover credit and debit card fees, secure payment of donations and help us offer more ways to donate.

Only 40% goes to the family

Logically, the GoFundMe website will take around $74,727 of the initial $1.7 million, as Challenge magazine explains. In the end, the family of the officer who fired the shot will only receive $685,364, less than half the amount raised, but still a lot more than Nahel's family.

A GoFundMe campaign to raise money for the family of the policeman who shot and killed a French teenager at a traffic stop topped $1.7 million, far outstripping donations to the family of the victim https://t.co/1HnnOBAfKS pic.twitter.com/TiLfHReoN1
— Reuters (@Reuters) July 5, 2023

This article has been translated from Oh!MyMag FR.

Source used:

Challenge